When we were children, my older brother excelled at assembling and painting model kits, mostly of military aircraft and vehicles. The small boxes, with vivid photos on top, contained small grey plastic pieces, glue, paint, and instructions for assembly. That seemed impossible for me to imagine as the glorious machine streaking across the sky. Yet, as he assembled the pieces with infinite patience, painted the model, and mounted it on its stand, there was the finished product, just like on the box cover.

How often in life it is hard to imagine a finished product, with all the little pieces in a jumble around us! But God promises a glorious future where all the parts fit into place.

1 John 3:1-3 – What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it — we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him — and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own. (MSG)

We are called God's children, but what does that mean? The apostle John changes the focus from us to God, Who loved us first, showing us extraordinary love. The world system rejects God, because it doesn't understand Him and is threatened by people who believe in Him. Just like all the little model fragments, which make no sense by themselves, so much in our lives seems confusing. Many things in our lives have not yet been revealed. Faith is hanging on to hope as we trust Him to do what He has promised. The promise is that we are going to be like Him, because we will see Him as He is. What will happen tomorrow is unsure, and life's events are temporary. Our hope is based on that secure foundation, for it is purifying and gives us strength to carry on.

Do your thoughts, temptations, self-interest, and fear make it hard to see the Lord clearly? Perhaps all that you can see are the little pieces, and you miss the instructions to put them together. See yourself as God's child, well-loved, looking forward to His appearing in love, joy, power, and the character that comes with it. We shall begin to see Him as He truly is.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us by Your grace to see You as You really are. The busyness of the day makes it hard for us to see the big picture. As we see You, may it change us more and more each day to be like You. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Send your feedback to the author