Pastor’s Corner: “Hidden Beauty”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) – 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Let these words slowly sink into your understanding: “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us. Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!
John 7:37-39 (TLB) –37 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me.” 39 (He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him; but the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet returned to his glory in heaven.)
I was on the lookout for interesting stones. At first glance, nothing caught my eye. Most of the stones were similar in shape and appearance. But as I walked along the water’s edge, I soon discovered that the stones were undeniably more unusual than I’d realized. I watched as the plain-looking, dry stones took on a rich, vibrant glow after the water passed over them. Hidden colors and markings were now highlighted, and they caught my eye. They had been transformed by the touch of the water. Even a tiny splash of water on a dry stone instantly took effect and brought out the stone’s hidden beauty.
It dawned on me that just like the stones, we are transformed when we are washed by the living water. Dry stones and “dry” human beings are common in appearance. It isn’t until we come to know God and drink the living water that we are transformed into His likeness. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and His love for us, the more our unique qualities and inner beauty are revealed. Bit by bit, splash by splash, we are transformed. Once washed by the living water, we take on a distinct appearance, standing out in a crowd, as wet stones. Just like stones away from a source of water, we will also dry out and lose our luster if we don’t stay immersed. Fortunately, when we get back into the Word, worship and His lover for us, we are refreshed and become like wet stones once again.
The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.
The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.
What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Scriptures, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton