Daily Bread

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Have you ever met someone who is radiant with the love of Christ? I have. Sometimes you meet Christians who (and I am struggling to find a different adjective) radiate God's love. They literally glow — not in a strictly physical way — but in a way that you can sense, and you feel warm, safe, and loved in their presence. It kinda feels how a child might feel when in nestled in the arms of a parent or carer, or how you feel when embraced in the arms of a loved one, but it's more than that. It's somehow bigger and more wonderful, and you cannot help but feel peace and joy in your heart when you're with them.

We don't know why Moses' face 'radiated' but I think it was more than just an afterglow, and was a sign or byproduct of God’s authority and presence being with him. In the same way, Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit overflow with God's love and grace. Ah! Now, there's a word. Yes, they have grace. It's almost as if the love of God in them cannot be contained, and without them even trying, it overflows and manifests itself in their inner-peace, joy, and compassion. Lord, I want to be someone like that!

I remember author Rob Bell's hope that people will say of us, "All I know about that church is that Christ is present." And I hope it's true, that when someone walks into an on-the ground gathering, or joins us on ZOOM, or interacts with us on social media, that they say exactly that — and that we would be so filled with God's love, that it cannot be contained.

Holy God
May I be so filled with your Holy Spirit
that I radiate your love.
May my life be one of peace and joy
that I may bring your peace and joy to others.
May my heart overflow with compassion
that I may bring your warmth to others.
And may I be so affected by your presence
that I live and extend your grace.
Now and Forever.