From Crisis to Crisis or Glory to Glory
2 Corinthians 3:18
18 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 from the Lord, the Spirit. (NASB)
First, let me say this.
I get it. Things have been tough. At least tougher than our collective generations are used to. For us who have weathered a bit of life, 9/11 and the Great Recession of 2008 have been the hallmarks of tightening and suffering through, until now. Two weeks to fatten the curve has become eight months. Life has not returned to normal, either socially, economically, family, school and the world. Add to that riots and violent protests and now, an election under fire, proves one thing, we are not living in necessarily ordinary times.
Now add to that your personal challenges. Getting the picture? If we let it, life can simply be measured from crisis to crisis. That kind of lifestyle is maddening and exhausting. Our brains have a confirmation bias and if we say that life is hard, it will be, for our brains will look for evidence in our lives that validates the thought flow we have fixed ourselves on.
We must determine what type of orientation we are going to live from. Will it be to live from crisis to crisis, or, are we going to live from glory to glory?
I remember years ago coming across one the Proverbs that stated in the Living Bible, “Plans are delightful, that’s why a fool won’t even given them up when they go wrong.” There are times when our plan includes chaos and crisis. Now, most people don’t choose that, but crises can be addicting. There is a natural adrenaline rush when things go crazy, as well as the feeling of “I’m not in charge anymore”, which gives place to a victim orientation in life. The bottom line truth is this, it is more important how we respond to a situation than the situation itself in almost every case.
So how do we go from glory to glory? Well, as I said Sunday, you must learn how to behold him. In the midst of a crisis, you must learn how to slow down, remove yourself if you have to, and take time to hear God’s heart on the situation. It is a discipline of the Spirit to take your eyes off of the moment and look deep into eternity. It is the discipline of perspective.
It is in this quiet place of reflection that you learn who God is and who you are. It is in this quiet place, that you get the real view on things for what they really are.
There is no real grace for going through crisis to crisis, merely (and it is no small thing), God’s mercy. But, for those who take the time to be face-to-face with God, to behold his glory, to cure and register what his heart is on the situation, those people will find grace, and to the abundance!
Now having said that, I do not mean to infer that God doesn’t do wonderful things when we are crisis oriented, He has and will, but the difference is moving with His rhythm or against it. You will intersect God and His ways no matter what, but one will definitively produce greater fruit.
So, “do not be weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap a harvest.” Keep pursuing Him and His lifestyle around us. Seek out people to minister to. Make “Hi! How are you?”, a question instead of a greeting. Be sensitive to the prompts of Holy Spirit. Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first. Have an eye for His working - an appreciative inquiry in life for the Father.
Life is better from glory to glory. Trust me.
Special update: Over the last few months, Facebook has grown increasingly aggressive in their monitoring speech. Our free exercise of religion has been encroached on through a post I put up calling us to prayer based on the Proverbs. Facebook felt the need to add an addendum. This post is for our people, our church and not the general public. In doing this, Facebook has inserted itself into what is a sacred communication between myself as your pastor, and you. This situation has just arisen and so we are now looking at alternatives for the future for our church’s communication with one another. In the meantime, be courageous and have faith! Pray that this large nose of the camel under the tent will get removed by the hand of Papa - our refuge and help!
