If you have read my page for a while, you know this story. When Michala was little, she asked me, “What does God look like? Is He white or black?” I tried to think long and hard about my response, because I did not know how to adequately answer my inquisitive kindergartener’s question. I told Michala, “I think God looks like Ms. Lindsey.” (She is a “Mrs.” but we say “Ms. in the South, y’all know).
Today is Lindsey’s birthday, and let me tell you. I think she makes God look beautiful.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
I love this verse so much. “And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” My sweet sister-friend Lindsey was changed into His glorious image decades ago, and the reflection is so obvious. Lindsey looks like the image of God. Not only is she a beautiful person on the outside, she reflects the beauty of God from the inside. Her heart reflects God.
For the past year or so, Terry and I have been dealt some yucky cards in the hand of life. Due to the evil actions of others, we have had to make some decisions neither one of us wanted to make, but we have pursued God, every step of the way. It has not been easy, though, and I have had many days where I wanted to lash out and tell the world about the evil done to us. But over time, I have prayed, “Papa, help me to be more like You and less like me.”
Over and over I pray to be more like Him and less like me. Having friends like Lindsey remind me how to do just that.
We need to have friends like my Lindsey and my Jessica and my Alice … friends who speak truth because they immerse themselves in the Word. We need friends like Betsy, Rebecca and Kristen who will listen to me vent, then tell me, “God’s got this. Breathe.”
If we surround ourselves with people who cherry pick scripture or justify evil acts or things that are so wrong, we are reflections of the world, not His glorious image.
Lindsey and I Marco Polo each other nearly every single day, and she can tell me something mundane about cleaning out her spice cabinet, but just seeing her face and hearing her voice reminds me of the love she has for God. Even on Lindsey’s worst day, she still reflects His glorious image.
We need to strive to look, sound and smell like Jesus. We do this when we surround ourselves with fellow believers who put Jesus first. There are no, “but this” with people who are changed into His glorious image. You will not hear from them, “Well, that was a terrible thing to do, but.” You will not hear from them, “I would never do something like he did, but.” No. The people who are changed into His glorious image are just that … people changed into His glorious image.
Surround yourself with people who look like God. You will know them when you find them because they speak His truth, not the truth of the world. There is a very big difference and you will know you found your people when they sound like the Word of God.
Happiest of Happy Birthdays my sweet sister friend. Thank you for the way you reflect His glorious image to everyone you encounter.