Shared Glory
Colossians 1:27 Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.
It’s just an old, rough cut log cabin in the woods, much like so many other cabins throughout this part of the country. It was built before there was electricity or running water, and the floor is just bare dirt. It might be fun to camp out in for a night, but actually living there would be pretty much out of the question for the typical present day family. Yet there is something incredibly interesting and special about this little place. It has a certain glory about it that has nothing to do with its structure or furnishings. What makes it glorious and set apart from even multi-million dollar homes is the fact that one of the people who actually lived in this humble abode is a former President of the United States. Because of the man who made this his abode so long ago, it will be cared for and preserved in its original state. Although he would move on to other and more elaborate homes, there is something that will forever be a part of this humble structure, the glory of the one who had lived there.
Wherever Christ has been invited to live, wherever He has made His abode, there is something very wonderful that takes place in that structure. It takes on the glory of its inhabitant. While He will surely make renovations and improvements, the defining significance and glory will always be Christ himself. From the moment He arrives, His new home is given equal status and honor with every other place He’s been given access. It’s really no longer about the appearance, size, or beauty of the structure; it’s about the One who’s chosen to spend His time there. Whether located in a gated community or on the other side of the tracks, security and confidence come not from the status of the neighborhood, but from the presence of the King who’s making His home there. His royalty makes this place His palace. His dominance and power makes this place His fortress, and His wealth makes this place His store house.
While great significance is given to the place where the VIP has been, the place where He is actually living brings with it a forward focus that far exceeds any past fixation. Monuments and plaques may be placed to honor His past activities, but the hope of His yet to be experienced glory will always lift the gaze from where He has been to His next anticipated movement, speech, or touch. If there has been a glory found in moments He has already occupied this place, how much greater is the wonder of what His presence has yet to impart. It is actually this expectation and honor that continually welcomes and enables His tenure. The sharing of His glory is directly associated with Him being the One who is glorified. He will ever glorify the place of His abode, but this is an ongoing process that He alone can conduct. The glory of the abode will ever be dependent upon its Occupant.
Particularly during this time of year there is a forward focus as resolutions are made and goals are established for the coming year. How enhanced is that forward look for the one who is no longer limited in expectation by appearances or locations, but is given great hope and confidence in the glory of the coming days because of the One who has chosen to live, move and breath in him/her. Christ will accomplish great and mighty things in the coming year, and He will do so in and through the place where He’s living. There will certainly be a sharing in the inevitable glory of His great works where His honor and praise have welcomed His presence- His occupancy.
