Such a Thing as Glory

Things to consider

Note: As of today, My wife and I have been married 37 years

As I ponder the subject of Glory, Presence, and stuff like that, the Holy Spirit has asked me some questions designed to change my thinking and look at things from a new point of view.

Question #1 “What is the Glory of a Woman?” My answer is, “Her hair.”

Question #2 “What is the Glory of a Tree?” My answer is, “The leaves.”

At this point, the Lord tossed me a scripture, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Cor 3:7

“So, who makes hair and leaves grow?” My answer is, “You do.”

At this point, I realized that Spiritual Glory is a result of the proper planting and watering of His presence. In some effect, Glory is a by-product of the Presence of the Lord.

Let me explain, first of all, it is clear in Matthew 6 that it is God who provides clothing, beauty, food, and stuff. In Colossians 1, we see that everything is made for Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

I have come to the belief that it is the proximity of His presence, the Well of Life, that brings life. Let me give you part of a powerful dream I had around fifteen years ago to help explain. In this dream, I found a folding handcart, and in the rubble, under a thick cloak, I then found the Ark of the Covenant. In the dream, I put the ark on the cart and then covered it with the cloak so that no one could see what I was doing. After a long time had passed in the dream, with a few stops along the journey, I eventually found a small place of worship that was almost abandoned. Everything was in disrepair, and the land around the building was in bad shape. I pushed the cart into the yard and took the cloak off. It was not long before everything in the yard responded and started growing. Soon, the whole place looked like a beautiful city park with exotic things growing.

What is the Point of Glory?

Have you ever considered a bush in winter that has no leaves? Not much to look at, just a collection of bare sticks and possibly thorns. But once spring comes, the glory grows and becomes softer, and more pleasing to the eye. Such beauty is enticing and welcomed in any garden.

In a way, the glory of plants can be symbolic of the spiritual glory of the Lord’s presence. Glory in itself invades the environment, like the thick aroma of flowers, pulling people and birds in. Spiritually, it soaks deeply within every person, affecting us on levels we can only guess at. This is one of the purposes of Glory, it draws the thirsty and calls to the soul.

How long have our souls been dry? How long have we been skeletons, bones standing at the edge of eternity, seeking the aroma of his presence to fill our souls and put us back together again? How we dress ourselves is artificial and simply meant to impress the world. What the Holy Spirit grows in the depth of your soul to bring forth to the world is the real glory

Draw Forth

There was something about Jesus that drew people, and it was not his physical looks. “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” Isaiah 53:2 But still, once Jesus started his ministry, people gathered, people wanted to draw close, they wanted to know him and be known by him.

In our modern age, corporate ministries impress people with values other than what the Bible wants us to carry. It’s about who you know, what you wear, the words you say and pray, and how impressive the building looks. These are superficial and have little value, and in fact, do NOTHING for the halls of Eternity.

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” John 12:32. Did you catch that? “From the Earth.” This is the current state of the Body; we have intermixed Jesus with the stuff of Earth. Right now, we have a Jesus for every aspect of life. A Political Jesus, Social Jesus, All faiths Jesus, Vegetarian Jesus, etc. But if He is lifted up, in other words, extracted from our boxes, religious dogma, and political streams, He will draw all men to Himself. This means his presence will increase, but how?

Many have sought to refine their theologies to make this happen. But let me give you a “prophetic” answer from scripture. “Blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean.” Matthew 23:26. Don’t worry about the outside, the heart is what matters, that is why Jesus also said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

In doing so, you will carry the aroma of his presence. This aroma will smell like death to some and life to others. Are you ready?