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02-02-2008, 02:08 AM
"Glory of the Lord"
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“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” — II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV
Life is full of change. In the Middle Ages, when very few people could read, they were often taught through pictures. The Wheel of Life pictured the medieval emotions of change —Happiness, Loss, Suffering and Hope. Happiness was pictured as a well-dressed person at the top of the wheel. Change brought Loss — a person falling through space and looking frightened. Next came Suffering — a nude person being dragged through the muck of life. And last came Hope — a clothed person looking happier.
Jesus told us not to worry about the changes in life, for each day brings enough for us to think about. (Matthew 6:25-34). We are so blessed by faith in our Lord and Savior, for we can weather the changes that The Wheel of Life inevitably brings. For we can depend on a God who brings us closer to the glory of his image in our day to day changes.
A 16th-century cleric said a very wise thing: "Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your Keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Hold fast to his dear hand, and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you the strength to bear it."
So welcome the changes each day brings, for you have the Hope that can lessen your suffering and bring you through it safely.
Lord, though I may suffer, I come to you with faith and hope, knowing that your love surrounds me. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”
Listen to this Prayerful Living message in:
Real Audio MP3
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” — II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV
Life is full of change. In the Middle Ages, when very few people could read, they were often taught through pictures. The Wheel of Life pictured the medieval emotions of change —Happiness, Loss, Suffering and Hope. Happiness was pictured as a well-dressed person at the top of the wheel. Change brought Loss — a person falling through space and looking frightened. Next came Suffering — a nude person being dragged through the muck of life. And last came Hope — a clothed person looking happier.
Jesus told us not to worry about the changes in life, for each day brings enough for us to think about. (Matthew 6:25-34). We are so blessed by faith in our Lord and Savior, for we can weather the changes that The Wheel of Life inevitably brings. For we can depend on a God who brings us closer to the glory of his image in our day to day changes.
A 16th-century cleric said a very wise thing: "Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your Keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Hold fast to his dear hand, and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you the strength to bear it."
So welcome the changes each day brings, for you have the Hope that can lessen your suffering and bring you through it safely.
Lord, though I may suffer, I come to you with faith and hope, knowing that your love surrounds me. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”