I Mean Really
When your friend says that – what do you say?
God bless you.
He holds the whole world in His hands.
If it’s God’s will…
I’ll pray.
God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Although, those statements are true – they just don’t roll right off your tongue when your bestie is falling apart.
Let’s Talk
I have been feeling totally cruddy since Memorial Day – but I’m coming back! But, my friend and her husband are facing a mountain right now and it begins with the letter C. That dreaded demon from hell. The Lord knows their names if you desire to pray…
Glory To Glory
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 by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3.18
And, what does that even mean? I’m going to try to break it down, Brother Paul, bear with me.
Once we know Jesus Christ, the veil is gone. The fog is lifted, by His Holy Spirit we can see clearly now! We can understand things of the Spirit whereas before it was all like Latin! If we don’t completely understand something, we can ask for wisdom and He will gladly give it. (James 1.5)
We look into a mirror and we see His glory (well not in the morning before coffee LOL) – but you get my drift. Every single day, as we walk with Christ and seek Him with all we are and have, we are transforming to HIS IMAGE from “glory to glory.”
Jesus In The Mirror
How can we see Jesus in our own reflection? Well, at the moment of salvation we are given the mind of Christ… so when we look at ourselves – hopefully, we see through the morning breath, the stardust in our eyes, the laugh lines around our mouths, the double chin, the lackluster cheeks and we see a smiling Jesus saying, “Let’s do today together!”
From Glory to Glory shows action. From experience to experience. From trial to trial. From triumph to triumph. Glory has the connotation of wonder and beauty but unfortunately life’s experiences aren’t always pretty.
Back To Now
See my friend up there in the silly photo? Sipping on a glass of white wine, pretending everything is normal but knowing that Friday is coming. And, me, the other woman who doesn’t even know what to say? Those two look beat up, don’t they? You know why? They have been from experience to trial to triumph and back again, at least 99 times in their lives. They are tired. They are questioning. They are a bit afraid of what the future looks like.
Therefore…
They are on the glory to glory road because when they look into the mirror, they are going to see their beloved Savior – the One who loves them enough to have died for them and they are going to know that “this” is just another experience moving them closer to Glory.
And, today?
That has to be enough.
In all truth? It is more than enough.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 1 Corinthians 15.19
Amen, I’m sitting here crying my eyes out, thank you for this. I will cherish this forever
No glib, meaningless statements from me, HM – my heart hurts for you and James but I also know you will shine as you go through this experience and move to another notch of Glory!!!
From glory to glory….. We certainly don’t reflect the image of Christ perfectly, but if we can look past all the physical, emotional strains that we have, we can see the light of Christ shining through us. He’s with us in all the ups and downs and is making us more like Him every day. We need to trust, pray and obey, knowing that He loves us so much. Blessings and love to you, dear Susan. I hope you are feeling better and better each day. xoxo
Gayl, you know about glory to glory. Thank you for visiting and commenting. xoxo
I like your humorous way of addressing this heavy topic, Susan. But I understand now that to go from Glory to Glory, we’re going to experience some ugly circumstances in between. Thank you, Susan.
Blessings, Janis
I’m afraid so, Janis. But there comes a glory in the end.
Susan,
As we pass through each and every trial, we get one step closer to the glory which awaits us. Thank you for this explanation with a little dose of humor mixed in — we need that these days!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I can’t wait to read your post …. I was so glad to see we parked next to one another at Joanne’s today!!!
Susan, I have always loved that Scripture as it fills me with hope – “glory to glory”. Every struggle, every pain, every challenge – I see them as stepping stones, revealing to me more and more of our Lord Jesus.
Sometimes the words don’t need to be said. There are times, we just cry with our friends and that says it all. I am so grateful “tears are a language our God understands.” Praying for you and for your friend today! xo
Thank you, Jo. Stepping stones…and one day they’ll be made of gold.
Such hard things and my heart breaks. I agree, sometimes there are no words…but HE knows and that is comforting.
Praying with you.
I know you are Jan. Our friend is so dear.
Glory sure doesn’t look the way we imagine it. For Christ, it involved a cross.
I always feel so inadequate in the presence of other’s huge pain and suffering, but I have what they need and can pray earnestly for them–even if my presence is all that seems to help in the moment.
AND, that is ENOUGH!
It’s so hard to know what to say. I’m sorry. I’m here for anything you need. I’m praying. But the hope of glory beats all.
Man, it sure does doesn’t it Lauren?
Thanks for this, Susan! I have a friend whose husband is facing a situation that sounds very similar, and I agree – it is hard to know what to say and how to bring comfort. I’m grateful for the hope we have in Jesus.
Hope is everything, Les’.
We have been there – a few years ago my husband needed his aortic valve replaced and in the pretesting they found a cancer nodule in his lung. Yes – we were on that glory to glory road – I asked God what to pray – and He gave me “All is Well” (2 Kings 4:26). He holds the All is Well plan.
Maryleigh, I love this so much. I am sharing with my friend!!! Thank you for encouraging us today.
I’m sorry about your friend, Susan. Sometimes we just don’t have words. I’m sure your presence and love is worth more than words anyway.
I hope so.
Jesus , is “The Prince of Peace”! That surpasses all understanding. That no man …… ( or sickness, or circumstance) can take from you. That Peace of Knowing we are His! And how beautifully He loves us all through friends and strangers. Opportunities come through pain, and sufferings as we /throughChrist bear one another’s burdens! Never left nor forsaken to struggle,, Alone. I Love You, All for being the hands and feet of Christ! Your Love is Beautiful! But, it’s still Hard!
Praying
I hear struggle in your words, Arna. More prayers….xo