Always on Display
2 Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB)
“But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB)
The statement was made: “Perception is a powerful thing! Once a perception is set in a person’s mind, that’s it.” I’ve found there is truth to this statement.
One may think that one is going through a really rough time of his/ her life, battling daily with making ends meet, paying bills, putting food on the table, literally just surviving. While outsiders see someone who is well dressed, living in a nice house, driving a nice car, looking well fed and put together, literally living the best life.
Yet again, one may feel like one is on a battlefield, buckling under the licks and kicks of life, while outsiders see victory and a tower of strength. Let’s pause for a moment and take a good look at our lives. Are we really beaten down, or are we walking in victory? If only we could step back and see our lives as outsiders see it, we would see the glory and power of God on display.
Be quite frank for a moment. With all the challenges we’ve experienced in life, we should be looking worn out and battered, but we’re not! We’re glowing in the goodness and grace of God. We’re simply on display for God. It is God’s power at work in us. It is because of His mercy that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22). His grace is sufficient. It’s all we need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We may be tired, yet there are no dark circles around our eyes. Weary, yet not collapsing. Battling with bills, yet not put to shame. Not having all we want to eat, yet not malnourished. Fighting an illness, yet still alive!
There are many battles we face, but in them all, through them all, God always puts us on display in Christ, that through our lives, He will spread the sweetness of who Jesus is in every place we traverse. We are always on display that many would come to know God’s saving grace and His keeping power.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank You for choosing us to be on display to spread Your aroma to the world. Help us to be a good display so that many would come to know who Jesus is; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Lamentations 3:22-23; Ezekiel 38:23
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 135:13-21; 2 Peter 3; Daniel 4:19-37; Daniel 5:1-16
