If memory serves only 3 times in my adult life have I picked up a book and finished it before going to sleep. This time it is Idol Eyes by Mandisa. I am not a fast reader and often I fall asleep but not with this one. I started it before breakfast and before bedtime, I closed the last page. I have highlighted, underlined, and written prayers on more than a few pages.
She said Father has called her and us to three things: obedience, holiness, and transparency. I like that and I want that!
We are familiar with each of these words: obedience, holiness, and transparency. And maybe at some time, we will look at all three of them but first I want us to examine transparency.
Readily when we think of transparency we think as my online dictionary says: easily seen through and detected.
But that is not the complete meaning of transparency. Listen to this: capable of transmitting light so that objects or images can be seen as if there were no intervening material.
You can ‘see’ where I am going with this can’t you? But let me give you one more meaning of transparent according to my online dictionary: free from guile, candid, open.
No kidding that’s what it said! I think Mandisa is right; being a transparent Christian would be GREAT!! Reminds me of this passage of Scripture
Matthew 5:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. In other words, may our Holy God be seen in us AS IF THERE WERE NO INTERVENING MATERIAL!! What would that intervening material be that would keep ‘men’ from seeing HIM in us? Only one thing our FLESH.
Father God this excites me. I want to be transparent! I want to be free from guile, be candid and open; to be a conduit for You to show Yourself in this world. Make me that way Lord Jesus; nothing in me can do that except YOU. Thank You for being here within us.
As I post this it is 66°F and haze in Balad, IQ & the time there is 4:46 PM AST – on March 4, 2008
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