471. Who Is That Looking At Me?

“Some time ago,” Stan began, “I was shown the importance of looking at myself to see me as God sees me.  I was reminded of that this morning when I was in the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth.”

“What was that?” I asked.

“The need for me to take the time necessary to really examine where I am in my relationship with God through Christ.  With sincerity and honesty, I am to look in the mirror and see who is looking back at me.”

“See who is looking back?” I asked.  “Who is supposed to be looking back if it’s not you?”

“Of course, it’s me,” Stan replied.  “But the question is, ‘Who is it?’  Is it the old me or is it a new me?”

Continuing, he said, “If I cannot truly see a difference when I look at what I am doing with my life on this side of eternity, if my attitudes, actions, and the things I say are no different from what they used to be, I am kidding myself in thinking I am being transformed as God intends.”

“Okay,” I responded, “suppose you look at yourself that way and do not see any difference.  What are you supposed to do about it?”

“Confess, repent, and truly surrender and give all of me to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Truly let Him lead, with me following, in the process of being transformed into the new creation that is intended by God to follow my conversion.”

“How often should you do that?” I asked.

“As often,” Stan replied, “as the Holy Spirit prompts me by saying, in essence, ‘Hey, you, come here and take a look’.”

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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 from the Lord, the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for the process of transformation that you intend for me to follow from the moment of conversion.  I confess that too often I do not look at myself to see if I am truly moving down the path you intend.  Please forgive me.  And please lead me exactly as you want in looking at myself honestly and listening to the Holy Spirit’s assessment of where I am on the path you intend.  And please, Father, help me in following your lead.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1.  What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.  What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?

3.  What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.  Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.