Seeing and Growing!
April 22, 2016
Chaplain Deron McDaniel, M.Div
Princeton Baptist Medical Center
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Reinhold Niebuhr, the American theologian who pen the Serenity Prayer which says “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Change is constant and even necessary; but it is often difficult and at times messy, even exhausting. The late Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker, asserted that “Life does not get better by chance, it gets better my change.” The way to progress comes through change.
The Apostle Paul who wrote 2 Corinthians was writing to a group of Christians who were also having a difficult time dealing with change. In fact the message of chapter 3 of 2 Corinthians is about addressing the insufficiencies of the law (or the past) that could only point out error contrasted with the incredible gift of a relationship with the Divine that helps one grow into the best person one can be today and in the future. God is ultimately more interested in our progress than our failures and shortcomings. How is this possible? The Apostles says this progress, this change, happens as we contemplate and reflect upon the Lord and his glory. It’s while we see His love and grace that we are able to be transformed and to grow into that very image of love and grace. This transformation takes us from level to level, each level helping to better us as we become His image today.
Our system is also in the midst of change. We celebrate our past accomplishments and successes, but we also welcome the challenges and opportunities that lay before us. Our mission and purpose to serve and honor Christ remains a core part of our identity. I cannot wait to see what we all become as we anticipate what God will do in our lives and in our System today and in the future. Let’s see and grow together!
Prayer: Kind and Gracious God, we thank you for the past and what means to us. We also thank to the opportunities we have before us to do even greater things. Help us to see in our service and our work and help us to grow and realize our potential today and in the future. May you be honored through all of our successes and accomplishments! In the name of Jesus. Amen.