As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel! (Acts 6:15)The idea of Stephen's face captures me. Like Moses' face after descending from the mountain (Exodus 34:29), like Jesus' face at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29), God's Word gives us another image of His glory in Stephen. What was going on inside Stephen that his face was like the "face of an angel" in the midst of intimidation, persecution, and suffering? It wasn't Stephen's strength of character nor his determination nor his new title as caregiver for the widows. Paul's words give us some insight.
Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Cor. 3:18, the Message)A face like Stephen's is not a result that we strive for nor is it something we can conjure. Paul describes it as recognizing that God is a living and personal presence right here, right now, right with me. Which also means recognizing that the law (or performance or spiritual disciplines or measurable ministry accomplishments) is obsolete and unnecessary to personally live in Him. And finally, Paul reminds us that we are "gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful" - not instantaneously and not only for an instant - but each moment as God becomes our life and we become like Him.
For someone like me, who feels like a dim bulb, these words are life and light. In the midst of my insignificant and unseen work, in my lack of title and accomplishment, in the mundane activities and while being overlooked, God is personally present, a living Spirit, gradually making my life brighter and more beautiful as He creates the new life of His Son in me. Amazing.
1 comment:
I love these thoughts, Staci! I was captured by the picture of Stephen's shining face as well. Even his enemies couldn't keep their eyes off of Him.
I'm trusting in the truth of His Word that, although I can't see it, God is making me into something bright and beautiful as I walk in His presence. This hope is life-giving in these days of child-rearing, full of correcting, disciplining, fussiness, defiance, and crying (theirs and mine!)
Thanks, Stac!
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