Shaped by Christ

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1 John 4:12-16 (NRSV)

God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. Philippians 2:13 (CEB)

Valerie Ronald lives in Manitoba, Canada. Clad in his favorite work gloves, her husband's strong hands have dug gardens, shoveled snow, and fixed cars. The worn leather gloves are permanently curved in the shape of his hands. But when they are laid aside on the shelf, no matter how much they resemble her husband's hands, the gloves are lifeless.

Like a glove molds to a hand, our soul is shaped by the light of Christ within it. This is what Valerie desires, but sometimes she gets distracted by her own agenda. She draws near to God by listening prayerfully. God's power restores her spirit and works through her to accomplish that which Valerie cannot do on her own.

It takes time to break in a new pair of gloves, yet with use the leather gradually forms to the hand's unique shape. When our soul is formed to the shape of our indwelling Savior, we can work toward God's purpose for our life. It is a close, loving partnership.

Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen us by your Spirit so that we can fulfill the purposes you have for us, in Jesus' name. Amen.