My roommates and I like to call eachother out on "smexting." Don't worry – it's not dirty. Smexting happens when you're sending/receing a text and smiling. We think it's funny to see who is capable of making someone giddy just through words on a screen.
This morning, I read something out of a book and caught myself smiling. Smreading, if you will. It was one of those pasages when you pause, breathe and think: dang, God is good.
At Trafalgar Square in the city of London stands a statue of Lord Nelson. Resting atop a tall pillar, it towers too high for passerby to distinguish its features. For this reason, about forty years ago a new statue an exact replica of the original was erected at eye level so that everyone could see him. God also transcends our ability to see; the eyes of our understanding cannot discern features. But we have set before us an exact representation, the image of the invisible God [Colossians 1:15]. To know God, we must look only at Jesus.
The Trivialization of God
Donald W. McCullough (p.63)
I read this because the Lord becoming flesh, on a level where we can see him, is what Christmas is all about. I love this image of the statue of The Most High humbling himself to reach the least of these, us. Also, if you know me you know I'm a sucker for London, so Trafalgar square and this statue specifically really hit home for me.
So. How will this prepare me for my Race? Well. I think it's likely easy for missionaries to lose sight of humility and believe that they are high, mighty and holy, swooping into impoverished cultures to save the day. Right now, that's not my mentality, but I want to be on guard against that lie – that I am the life-changer and savior. My mission on the Race will be squandered if I catch that Lord Nelson disease of self.
I'm being sent out to be an eye-level statue. Others will be able to see Christ more clearly – his warm facial features and laugh lines and open arms – if he's shining through on our level. I desire to see Christ like this, so I will prepare myself to show Christ like this.
So, cheers to the Brits who taught me this lesson.
Also, Merry Christmas! A day to celebrate Jesus being on our level!
