From The Inside Out

II Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

The tinkling sound of carousel music wafts on a sweet breeze scented of cotton candy and caramel apples. The fun and excitement of a carnival is a temporary escape from everyday life. One entertaining attraction is having your photograph taken behind a carnival poster. For an instant of time captured for posterity, you can appear to be the trapeze girl or the strongman. While this is great fun, and sure to elicit some giggles from family and friends, it also illustrates a truth about the persona that we incorporate from the world and show to others. If we accept the images that the world attempts to sell us without evaluating them against the Word of God, it is like poking our heads through a cookie cutter poster and calling it our self. These glossy snapshots are an illusion; and subsequently, they are deadly if we accept them as our reality. Media and advertising are driven by a corporate money making machine whose goal is to line their own pockets. We are continually fed images of youth, beauty, power and luxury by it. We are convinced that these things are ours to have if we only owned a certain type of car, used a particular product or buy into whatever it is that they are selling. Basing our lives on these corrupted images of truth is a definite way to end up lost and empty; and honestly, it is idolatry if we put these things before God.

God counters the world's lie with the pure Word of truth. He desires that you derive your self worth, lifestyle and goals from His reality; not that of the world. When we lay our lives at His feet we are changed, “. . .from glory to glory,” as II Corinthians 3:18 tells us. He changes us from the inside out into His own glorious image. The illusionary candy-coating of the world will eventually fade and crack, leaving all who trust in it bereft. God created you with a plan and purpose in mind for your life, allow Him to paint this reality for you, He is the grand Master.

Lord, in Jesus' name I pray that you make us aware of the falsities of the world that we may be accepting as truth. Please help us to lay down the things in our lives that are not pleasing to You. Thank You, Father for Your grace and mercy. Without it, we indeed would be bereft. I love You and praise You and thank You again for Your presence in my life. You are everything I need. Amen.

Patti