Spiritual Radiance

But we all, with open face

beholding as in a glass the

glory of the Lord, are changed

into the same image from glory

to glory, even as by the Spirit

of the Lord.

II Corinthians 3:18

When Brian and I were first married, for a few years we celebrated our anniversary by driving into Chicago to Moody Bible Institute for a day of their Founder's Week. One particular year, we received a brochure regarding the upcoming conference. One of the main speakers that was going to preach on the Saturday we planned to attend was Dr. W. A. Criswell, of First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. We both had heard a lot about him, his stand for the inerrancy of the Scriptures and his leadership of one of the largest Southern Baptist Churches in our country.

We went with great anticipation to hear this man of God, and of the Word to be preached to the large crowd that had gathered. It would seem that hundreds of people other than ourselves were greatly anticipating the preaching of this man of God. I believe he preached that day on “Why I Believe the Bible is True.” I may not have the title down pat but it was something like that. I took notes that day but to be honest, I was very distracted as he preached. He took command of the pulpit as if it was his own. He preached hard but with great love. It didn't take long to figure out how he felt about the Bible.

My distraction, however, had nothing to do with his voice, presentation or even what he was wearing. As I watched him preach, his face just seemed to glow. Oh, it wasn't anything spooky. It was a radiance that showed through a man of God who not only loved the topic of his sermon...or the Bible he preached from...but from a man who was passionate about his Lord and who was walking in the closest of communion with Him. It wasn't something that could be put on through pretense. As I sat there, I was listening to a preacher with such credibility that I knew I had to hang onto every word, as it was a word from God Himself.

I am reminded of Moses in Exodus 34 when he came down from mount Sinai. In hand he had the two stone tablets given to him by God. When he came down from that mount, he didn't realize that there was something very different about him...his face was glowing. Aaron and the children of Israel saw Moses that his face was absolutely glowing to the point that it frightened them. They were afraid to even go near him. It was such a distraction as he spoke with the people, that he put a veil over his face. After that, as Moses went to talk with the Lord, he removed the veil. What was the difference in Moses in between his going up the mount and then returning later to the bottom. He had been with God Himself. They had talked together and fellowshipped together. Moses had accepted God's commands for the people and all the while, his countenance was being changed unbeknown to him. Moses' having been with God reflected God's glorious presence. It was a good thing, but it really frightened the people. They didn't understand what had happened in Moses' life atop that mountain.

In times past, I remember people who were either preachers or ladies who taught the Bible in various venues. Many of them had/have a beautiful countenance. The glory of the Lord just seems to shine from many of them. It's, again, something that can't be painted on their faces. You just seem to know when in their presence that the Lord is such a part of their lives that cannot be denied. These people are not the most handsome nor always beautiful physically, but the love of Christ just seems to radiate from their faces. Not a one I'm thinking of are looking for attention nor do they desire to be known as the godliest people walking the earth. There is just such a natural, spiritual aroma that exudes from their lives.

By the way, several years after hearing Dr. Criswell on that cold and snowy day in a February probably about 40 years ago, little did I know that we would eventually move to the Dallas area where Brian took a new job. Unbelievably, we eventually joined the First Baptist Church of Dallas. The first time I heard Dr. Criswell preach in that place, there he stood, Bible before him, hand raised often to make a point but with the same godly glow on the face and sweet smile that revealed a man of great compassion.

How do others view you and me spiritually speaking? Like it or not, we are being watched all the time by someone. We aren't called upon to put on a spiritual act for others to see. We are just called upon to let the love of God that stems from a close, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father, show in all we do and say. There is always something so lovely when seeing the glow of a young bride all decked out in her wedding gown and veil. We should be as excited as we anticipate the day of our face to face union with our Heavenly bridegroom...talk about a glow on our faces...can't wait.

Dear Jesus, I long for that day of complete spiritual fulfillment when I can see You in person. Meanwhile, I realize You have things for me to do here on this earth but I must have Your power in my life so that You can love others through me. In Your precious name...Amen