And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. English Standard Version

I was struck afresh by the expression ‘’from one degree of glory to another’’. Here is a gradual, but very real metamorphosis.

I am reminded of the Apostle John’s words:

‘’ Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ‘’ 1 John 3:2 ESV.

I also think about Paul’s words in Colossians 3:4:

‘’ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.’’

C.S. Lewis wrote in ‘A Weight of glory’: ‘It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which,if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.’

Prayer:

‘Jesus, you are changing me

By your spirit you’re making me like you

Jesus, you’re transforming me That your loveliness

may be seen in all I do

You are the potter

And I am the clay

Help me to be willing To let you have your way

Jesus, you are changing me

As I let you reign supreme Within my heart’. Marilyn Baker.