It’s Transparent

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Thud! My bags hit the floor, and I stepped over them to survey the room. My husband and I managed to get away for a Sunday School teacher retreat in the North Georgia mountains. Alone at last, we flopped on the bed and took in the most heavenly sound – quiet. With two kids at home, our house is constantly a bustle of activity.

I turned my head to see a crack of light spilling through the drawn curtains. Wanting to brighten the room, I hopped up to pull back the window treatments. “How beautiful,” I sighed taking in the mountainous landscape. The sun hung over them like an orange ball of fire.

“It’d be better if we could see through the glass,” my husband countered. The large window was layered in a grayish film. I got out my camera only to realize the coating would prevent any decent photos. The smaller side windows slid open only to reveal black screens. Either I took the picture through the screen or got a shot of smudgy gray.

The dirty window didn’t change the beauty in front of me. It just prevented me from completely seeing it.

Transparency is important. Webster’s definition of transparent is having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clear. If we are transparent as Christians, then we are allowing the Light to transmit through us so we are clearly seen. So often, as believers we feel the need to hide. What if they knew this about me? What would they think? I can’t share how I really feel.

Unfortunately, when we conceal ourselves, we give others the impression we always have it all together – and they use us as a gauge to judge themselves. They think, “I can’t be a Christian because I could never be that perfect.” Guess what, friends? None of us – let me repeat – none of us are perfect.

Although we strive to be like Jesus, we have all sinned and fallen short of His glory. When we allow others to see that in us, we allow them to see that Christians aren’t perfect – they just know the One who is.

Dear Lord, I want Your Light to transmit through me. Lord, let people be drawn to me because they see you in me. Let me live in such a way to let others know I am not perfect, but strive to take advantage of opportunities to illuminate You. Use my imperfections to bring glory to the awesome power of Your name. Amen.