For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13: 12
Last weekend I had a wonderful blessing. I visited a friend I haven’t seen in sixty-five plus years. We had been classmates in Bible school, sang together in a ladies’ trio, traveled together with our touring choir, worked in the kitchen together sometimes, and had some classes together. Otherwise, we didn’t know each other real well, because we lived at opposite ends of the campus and attended different churches. We had rediscovered each other on Facebook a couple of years ago, and our reconnection served to help us renew our acquaintance and friendship. Believe me, Facebook does not do justice to the images we see face to face.
Back in the day, our friendship, by necessity, had been superficial. Renewed, would our friendship be the same? I wondered. Would I be what she expected? Would she be what I had anticipated? We reconnected on a different level because we have not only matured, but we have also become different people since our youthful days. Our meet up together centered on a more spiritual level, with linked values, beliefs, hopes, and burdens. Her review of her life with God’s call and direction has blessed me. I hope my story has blessed her as well.
Our memories of one another were somewhat sketchy—like looking in an old mirror which has lost a lot of its silver and has a buildup of time on the surface. Now we are able to get to know each other as we are.
This reminded me of when, in the Book of the Revelation of the Apostle John, he encounters Jesus (Revelation 1: 13-16). The image he sees is not the way he remembered Jesus when he followed his teacher as a beloved disciple. He now sees the better eternal image. He sees Jesus’ perfection in wisdom, judgment, foundation, word, and glory—what he could never see on the mundane level.
No, I can never know this side of heaven the depths of another person. I can never comprehend my Lord and Savior this side of heaven in a deep, spiritual sense. On the other hand, as I study the Word and live out in my life what I read; as I practice His presence in my daily walk; as I anticipate the glorious day when I see Him face to face, I can get a dim glimpse that awakens my hunger for the Day of glorious resurrection. “Even so, come! Lord Jesus.”
My heart sings the old hymn today: “Face to Face.” (Click on the link to listen to the hymn https://youtu.be/SuLig-W4wSU .)
Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?
Refrain:
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.
What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
Death is swallowed up in vict’ry,
And the dark things shall be plain.
Face to face—oh, blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.
Carrie E. Breck, 1898
Challenge: Renew an old acquaintance and reconnect on a deeper spiritual level; Anticipate Jesus’ return when we can see Him face to face.
Prayer: Lord, may we seek to know You more and more through Your word and as we walk in Your presence day by day.
