Stay Oriented to Where You’re Heading (David Powlison)
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. -1 John 3:2-3
What is our direction? What is our destination? You might want to do an experiment with people. Ask them, “Who are you most looking forward to seeing when you get to heaven?” It’s so interesting that almost no one says, “I’m looking forward to seeing Jesus.” You do know Jesus is the one that we’re going to see, right? And when we see him, we’ll be like him. He who has this hope purifies himself as Jesus is pure (1 John 3:3). That’s where the dynamic of change happens in the light of the destination. We will see him. We will become like him; his name will be on our forehead. This is the vision of our destination.
Where are you heading, what is your direction, and what are you going to be?
When it comes to the dynamics of biblical change, it’s a matter of direction. Where are you going? Don’t be discouraged by your destination’s distance from you; instead, use it to stay oriented to where you’re heading. No matter how far away it is.
I’ll never forget one of the things that my first pastor, Jack Miller, said. He used to often say that the glory of God in your life is not some absolute standard of achievement. Like, here’s the ideal Christian, here’s the ideal Christian family, here’s the ideal church. Instead, the measure of Christ’s glory is the differences between what you would be by nature and what you are because of Christ.
Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith, p. 361.
