My spirit is stirring with excitement and expectations as I prepare messages for our new mini-series “YOUR WORD IS…! A journey through Psalm 119.” I really sense the Lord leading us to know Him, to grow in a mānoa intimacy with our Godhead through the Word of God. This past Sunday, I spoke about the Psalmist David penning the blessings of living by God’s commandments—and the brokenness he experienced following God. We will all experience the blessings of God and brokenness at some level in this life.
One of the prayers through life is to grow in my relationship with Jesus. I believe I was created and called to reflect His image. But if I’m honest, there are times I find myself more concerned with how I appear—as a person, a husband, a father, and a pastor—than with how I reflect Christ. It’s not wrong to want to live well in these roles, but when my desire to “look good” becomes more about pleasing others than honoring God, pride begins to take the lead. That’s when I need to return to the heart of it all: becoming more like Jesus, not just in appearance, but in character.
Romans 8:29 reminds us:
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
And 2 Corinthians 3:18 encourages us with this truth:
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Our calling isn’t to impress the world with our image, but to be transformed daily by His Spirit—to live and love in a way that reflects Jesus to those around us.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to walk with You and become more like You. Help me to keep my heart aligned with Yours, especially when pride creeps in or when I’m tempted to seek others’ approval. Teach me to live from the inside out, formed by Your grace and shaped by Your truth. I surrender my image, my roles, and my reputation to You, knowing that Your image is the one that truly matters. Make me more like You today. In the name of our Godhead. Amen.
