God's Fingerprints On Your Life
Dear Friends,
During our holiday in Spain we spent a weekend in Barcelona and the highlight of my weekend was our visit to Barcelona's Cathedral - Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Although work began on it in the 1800s, it is not expected to be completed until 2026. It is an incredible building and has been designed chiefly by the architect, Antonio Gaudi (also known as God's Architect). It was amazing to wander around this building, but it became more meaningful and special when we listened to our English speaking tour guide. From what I gathered Gaudi was a man of faith, whose vision was to give his best to God and to bring glory to God through his work. For his time he was an innovator because rather than having everything about God within the building he chose to have them on display on the outside of the building, his aim being for people to look and learn about the teachings of the gospels and the church, before entering the church. For example one tower is devoted to the Christmas story and another to the Passion and the Resurrection. Throughout Gaudi's work on the cathedral he emphasises the relationship of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Within this impressive building natural light plays a huge part, another pointer to Jesus, the light of the world. As with the outside, the inside's focus is God.
When people questioned Gaudi about how long it was taking to create and finish, his response was that God was his ultimate client, not people, and would tell them, "Don't worry, my client isn't in a hurry."
God is our creator, he created you and me, he is the master builder, the master architect, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) It is because of Jesus that God has given us the gift of faith, in Hebrews 12:2 we read that Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith," (NKJV) and he has given us his Holy Spirit who lives within us, "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) and he opens our eyes to see the truth of who God really is. (John 14:17)
When God looks at us he doesn't see what we were, he sees what we will be, he has the blueprints set out before him, he knows the end design, and with the help of his Holy Spirit he is transforming us from the inside out to make us more like his son, Jesus. Paul says in Philippians 1:6 "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT) The transforming work is a process, as this verse indicates, and it takes time.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I can become frustrated when there seems to be little improvement and little change in my life, when it feels like it's just taking too long. Sometimes it's hard for us to recognise the change that God is working, but others who know us can actually see a visible difference in us. As Gaudi seemed to know, God is Lord of Time, he's in control, and he's in no hurry, he works steadily and surely, one step at a time, to change us, making us into the person he designed us to be.
But, sometimes it takes longer because we are reluctant to change, we are reluctant to hand over the control of our life to God. We don't always like to change, we're happy the way things are, we're comfortable staying as we are. There may be an area in our life which we've closed the door on and put a notice up saying "No Access". However, our God is always patient with us, and he's got all the time in the world. His work in us is a work that takes our whole life-time and it's only completed when we finally get to meet him face to face. John tells us in 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (Amp)
Be encouraged, know that God is working on you, he's working on me, that he will finish his work and what we need to do is choose to submit to him and allow him to do his work.
Just as the Basilica in Barcelona is not yet finished, it still stands as a testimony to the truth of God and we too are to live our lives as a testimony to God's truth. People should be able to look at us and see evidence of God at work in us and living through us. Even though others may not know who Jesus is, by meeting us, by seeing the difference in us as we become more like him, they will begin to know who he is. Like I said, the transforming work happens within us, but it's not to remain hidden within, it's to have visible expression on the outside. We are to live the genuine, authentic Christian life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our lives pointing to Jesus Christ, not to ourselves. Lives that are lived for the glory of God.
God's Holy Spirit works within us to produce his fruit. Paul writes about the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control." (NLT) Jesus said "When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." John 15:8 (NLT).When people look at us, when they watch the way we behave and the things we say they should be able to see this fruit evident in us. In troubled circumstances can people see that we are at peace because of our relationship with God? Are we quick to loose our temper or do we exercise self-control and patience? Do we show love to those on the fringe of society, ignored by the majority? When people look at me, when they look at you, do they see these qualities - kindness, goodness, gentleness, joy, love etc.?
When people visit the Basilica they can see Gaudi's fingerprints all over it. As we develop friendships with others may they too see God's fingerprints on us and may we open ourselves up to allow God to make something beautiful with our lives, not only that, but may it also give others the desire to invite God to make their lives beautiful too.
To Think About:
Be honest with God and yourself - is there an area in your life which you have locked and put a sign up saying "No Access"? Are you willing to unlock the door to God and allow him to bring change?
How has God been transforming you from the inside out? Give thanks to God for the way he's transforming you.
Are you living an authentic, genuine Christian life so that others see Jesus in you? Can they see his fingerprints on your life?
Vicki
During our holiday in Spain we spent a weekend in Barcelona and the highlight of my weekend was our visit to Barcelona's Cathedral - Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Although work began on it in the 1800s, it is not expected to be completed until 2026. It is an incredible building and has been designed chiefly by the architect, Antonio Gaudi (also known as God's Architect). It was amazing to wander around this building, but it became more meaningful and special when we listened to our English speaking tour guide. From what I gathered Gaudi was a man of faith, whose vision was to give his best to God and to bring glory to God through his work. For his time he was an innovator because rather than having everything about God within the building he chose to have them on display on the outside of the building, his aim being for people to look and learn about the teachings of the gospels and the church, before entering the church. For example one tower is devoted to the Christmas story and another to the Passion and the Resurrection. Throughout Gaudi's work on the cathedral he emphasises the relationship of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Within this impressive building natural light plays a huge part, another pointer to Jesus, the light of the world. As with the outside, the inside's focus is God. When people questioned Gaudi about how long it was taking to create and finish, his response was that God was his ultimate client, not people, and would tell them, "Don't worry, my client isn't in a hurry."
God is our creator, he created you and me, he is the master builder, the master architect, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) It is because of Jesus that God has given us the gift of faith, in Hebrews 12:2 we read that Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith," (NKJV) and he has given us his Holy Spirit who lives within us, "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) and he opens our eyes to see the truth of who God really is. (John 14:17)
When God looks at us he doesn't see what we were, he sees what we will be, he has the blueprints set out before him, he knows the end design, and with the help of his Holy Spirit he is transforming us from the inside out to make us more like his son, Jesus. Paul says in Philippians 1:6 "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT) The transforming work is a process, as this verse indicates, and it takes time.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I can become frustrated when there seems to be little improvement and little change in my life, when it feels like it's just taking too long. Sometimes it's hard for us to recognise the change that God is working, but others who know us can actually see a visible difference in us. As Gaudi seemed to know, God is Lord of Time, he's in control, and he's in no hurry, he works steadily and surely, one step at a time, to change us, making us into the person he designed us to be.
But, sometimes it takes longer because we are reluctant to change, we are reluctant to hand over the control of our life to God. We don't always like to change, we're happy the way things are, we're comfortable staying as we are. There may be an area in our life which we've closed the door on and put a notice up saying "No Access". However, our God is always patient with us, and he's got all the time in the world. His work in us is a work that takes our whole life-time and it's only completed when we finally get to meet him face to face. John tells us in 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (Amp)
Be encouraged, know that God is working on you, he's working on me, that he will finish his work and what we need to do is choose to submit to him and allow him to do his work.
Just as the Basilica in Barcelona is not yet finished, it still stands as a testimony to the truth of God and we too are to live our lives as a testimony to God's truth. People should be able to look at us and see evidence of God at work in us and living through us. Even though others may not know who Jesus is, by meeting us, by seeing the difference in us as we become more like him, they will begin to know who he is. Like I said, the transforming work happens within us, but it's not to remain hidden within, it's to have visible expression on the outside. We are to live the genuine, authentic Christian life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our lives pointing to Jesus Christ, not to ourselves. Lives that are lived for the glory of God.
God's Holy Spirit works within us to produce his fruit. Paul writes about the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control." (NLT) Jesus said "When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." John 15:8 (NLT).When people look at us, when they watch the way we behave and the things we say they should be able to see this fruit evident in us. In troubled circumstances can people see that we are at peace because of our relationship with God? Are we quick to loose our temper or do we exercise self-control and patience? Do we show love to those on the fringe of society, ignored by the majority? When people look at me, when they look at you, do they see these qualities - kindness, goodness, gentleness, joy, love etc.?
When people visit the Basilica they can see Gaudi's fingerprints all over it. As we develop friendships with others may they too see God's fingerprints on us and may we open ourselves up to allow God to make something beautiful with our lives, not only that, but may it also give others the desire to invite God to make their lives beautiful too.
To Think About:
Be honest with God and yourself - is there an area in your life which you have locked and put a sign up saying "No Access"? Are you willing to unlock the door to God and allow him to bring change?
How has God been transforming you from the inside out? Give thanks to God for the way he's transforming you.
Are you living an authentic, genuine Christian life so that others see Jesus in you? Can they see his fingerprints on your life?
Vicki
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