Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Jan 19, 2008 2:33:17 GMT -5
BEING CHANGED INTO HIS LIKENESS
by Max Lucado
The reward of Christianity is Christ.
Do you journey to the Grand Canyon for the souvenir T-shirt or the snow
globe with the snowflakes that fall when you shake it? No. The reward
of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon. The wide-eyed realization that
you are part of something ancient, splendid, powerful, and greater
than you.
The cache of Christianity is Christ. Not money in the bank or a car in
the garage or a healthy body or a better self-image. Secondary and
tertiary fruits perhaps. But the Fort Knox of faith is Christ. Fellowship
with him. Walking with him. Pondering him. Exploring him. The
heart-stopping reali-zation that in him you are part of something ancient,
endless, unstoppable, and unfathomable. And that he, who can dig the Grand
Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you’re worth his death on Roman timber.
Christ is the reward of Christianity. Why else would Paul make him his
supreme desire? “I want to know Christ” (Phil. 3:10).
Do you desire the same? My idea is simple. Let’s look at some places
he went and some people he touched. Join me on a quest for his
“God-manness.” You may be amazed.
More important, you may be changed. “We all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from
one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the
Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).
As we behold him, we become like him.
I experienced this principle firsthand when an opera singer visited our
church. We didn’t know his voice was trained. You couldn’t have
known by his corduroy coat and loafers. No tuxedo, cummerbund, or silk
tie. His appearance raised no eyebrow, but his voice certainly did. I
should know. He was in the pew behind mine.
His vibrato made dentures rattle and rafters shake. He tried to contain
himself. But how can a tuba hide in a room of piccolos?
For a moment I was startled. But within a verse, I was inspired.
Emboldened by his volume, I lifted mine. Did I sing better? Not even I could
hear me. My warbles were lost in his talent. But did I try harder? No
doubt. His power brought out the best in me.
Could your world use a little music? If so, invite heaven’s baritone
to cut loose. He may look as common as the guy next door, but just wait
till you see what he can do. Who knows? A few songs with him might
change the way you sing.
Forever.
_______________________________
From Next Door Savior
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com
by Max Lucado
The reward of Christianity is Christ.
Do you journey to the Grand Canyon for the souvenir T-shirt or the snow
globe with the snowflakes that fall when you shake it? No. The reward
of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon. The wide-eyed realization that
you are part of something ancient, splendid, powerful, and greater
than you.
The cache of Christianity is Christ. Not money in the bank or a car in
the garage or a healthy body or a better self-image. Secondary and
tertiary fruits perhaps. But the Fort Knox of faith is Christ. Fellowship
with him. Walking with him. Pondering him. Exploring him. The
heart-stopping reali-zation that in him you are part of something ancient,
endless, unstoppable, and unfathomable. And that he, who can dig the Grand
Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you’re worth his death on Roman timber.
Christ is the reward of Christianity. Why else would Paul make him his
supreme desire? “I want to know Christ” (Phil. 3:10).
Do you desire the same? My idea is simple. Let’s look at some places
he went and some people he touched. Join me on a quest for his
“God-manness.” You may be amazed.
More important, you may be changed. “We all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from
one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the
Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).
As we behold him, we become like him.
I experienced this principle firsthand when an opera singer visited our
church. We didn’t know his voice was trained. You couldn’t have
known by his corduroy coat and loafers. No tuxedo, cummerbund, or silk
tie. His appearance raised no eyebrow, but his voice certainly did. I
should know. He was in the pew behind mine.
His vibrato made dentures rattle and rafters shake. He tried to contain
himself. But how can a tuba hide in a room of piccolos?
For a moment I was startled. But within a verse, I was inspired.
Emboldened by his volume, I lifted mine. Did I sing better? Not even I could
hear me. My warbles were lost in his talent. But did I try harder? No
doubt. His power brought out the best in me.
Could your world use a little music? If so, invite heaven’s baritone
to cut loose. He may look as common as the guy next door, but just wait
till you see what he can do. Who knows? A few songs with him might
change the way you sing.
Forever.
_______________________________
From Next Door Savior
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com