Listen:
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! “(2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV)
Reflect:
I recently went to visit the beautiful city of Barcelona in Spain and I visited the fascinating work of my favorite architect, Antoni Gaudi – Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The vision of Gaudi was to create something unique for the glory of God. He even wrote the word ‘Glory’ on the roof, in his typical style, as a mosaic formed out of pieces of tiles.
The inside of the cathedral is like a giant forest, surrounded by large, tall windows that have stained glass, strategically placed to reflect the sun’s light onto the inside forest. It was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen! I entered the forest under the blue light on one side, darker blue because there was a big cloud covering the sky just as I entered the cathedral. But then the sun came out and I realized that I was showered with colors and beauty from all sides, immersed in this show of glory, light and delight. The sun’s light coming through changed everything! In the same way, when the Son comes through in our lives, he changes everything and his light shines through us and brings a spectacular display of love, life and truth to us and through us.
I remember struggling with this verse many years ago, because I wanted that new thing instantly. And while the very best Architect of our lives sometimes gives us some instant new’s in our lives, the reality is that we’re still living in the ‘already and not yet’ of the Kingdom of God. One day all will be made new and we will live in that full blessed reality and until then we walk in this mystery that keeps us close to the Architect and we’re learning to trust his vision. You see, they’re still working on Sagrada Familia. It is still under construction, although her visionary architect Gaudi passed away almost one century ago. But the vision is still strong and beautiful and fills the visitor’s soul with wonder and joy.
Our Architect is Life himself and his vision for us is good and we’re under construction in his good hands. And when we allow his light to shine brightly through us, everything changes, in and around us!
Questions for Reflection:
- Where have I experienced something “new” from God in this season?
- Do I trust the vision of the Architect for my life and the work that he is doing? Where am I struggling with doubt or resistance?
- Where do I see Christ’s light shining through today?
Prayer of Response:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are Architect Supreme and you have a good vision for my life. I trust your work in me and around me and I fully surrender to you. Shine your light brighter and stronger through my life in this season and may it point to you and your beauty! Amen.
—Submitted by Diana Anton
Diana lives in Bucharest, Romania and serves as the Executive Director of Lifesprings International and her passion is to see women worldwide connected, encouraged and prepared to impact their communities with the love of Jesus. Traveling is a new passion that got rekindled in the last few years and she loves to experience and explore new places and cultures that form our fascinating and beautiful world. And at the same time, their family apartment in Bucharest is her favorite place in the world.