Why is it that we as Christians find such subtle ways for it to be "all about us" and not about Jesus? Even when we're supposedly focusing on Him it becomes about OUR opinons, OUR "spirituality," OUR "style of ministry," OUR "authenticity." Are we truly a mirror of God's glory or are we warping it, even slightly, to fit our own ideas? Are we superimposing the outline of our face on Christ's reflection?When Moses was talking to God on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 33, he begged God for His presence to be with him and the Israelites.
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." (Exodus 33:15-18)The thing that was to "set apart" the people of God from all others was the presence of God. Not their "lifestyle," not their "belief systems," not their "authenticity." These things resulted from having God's presence with them, but it was His presence that people noticed, His presence that set them apart. God's presence shows God's glory.
How often do we take the time to put down our own fronts, our own faces, and just let God's presence be our face? This kind of surrender is hard... It's so much easier to create our own "filters" for His light than to just let it blaze. But tampering with God's glory is attempting to weaken the very thing that sets us apart - the very thing that the world will notice.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)Our personalities, styles, outlooks, and uniqueness all have a place- and that place is submitted to God's shining glory. Our "selves" should not filter God's light, they should instead be illuminated in its unveiled glory.
