Behold to Become

Embracing God's Promises Fully Prepared

Beloved Friend,

I hope this message finds you well and brimming with hope! Today, I want to share a profound truth about our journey with God: the necessity of beholding Him to become all that He has promised us.

Let me take you back to my boarding school days. In our school, before you could officially become a prefect, you were first given the title of "acting prefect." It was a test of sorts. If you aspired to be the head girl, you’d start as the acting head girl, operating in that capacity to prove your suitability for the role. Any misstep could cost you the position.

I vividly remember one particular acting prefect. She was remarkable—her presence commanded respect, and her leadership skills were undeniable. Everyone saw her as a natural leader. However, one day, a situation arose that tested her beyond her limits. In a moment of intense frustration, she punished a student severely, unintentionally causing a serious eye injury. The incident was a major issue, and despite being resolved, it led to her losing the position. It wasn’t her intention to harm the junior student, but in a fit of anger, she lost control, and that moment of weakness overshadowed her exemplary leadership qualities.

Friend, this story reminds me of Moses, one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. Moses had his own moment of anger that cost him dearly. After leading the Israelites for 40 years, beholding God in the wilderness, he had a moment where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:10-12). This act of disobedience, born out of frustration, prevented him from entering the Promised Land. Moses, despite his close relationship with God and his incredible leadership, had a moment of weakness that had significant consequences.

Both stories illustrate a critical truth: even those chosen and anointed for great things need to continually behold God to manage their weaknesses and become all that He has called them to be. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." This transformation is a process. As we fix our gaze on God, we are changed into His likeness, equipped to handle the blessings and responsibilities He has in store for us.

We often desire the fulfillment of God's promises without the process of transformation. Yet, God, in His wisdom, knows that we cannot effectively carry out His purposes if we are not fully prepared. Just as no army sends untrained soldiers into battle, God does not send us forth without equipping us. This equipping happens as we behold Him, as we spend time in His presence, absorbing His nature and His ways.

Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The master entrusted his servants with different amounts of talents according to their ability. Those who were faithful with little were given more. This principle applies to us as well. God will not give us more than we can handle. As we grow in Him, our capacity increases, and we are able to steward greater blessings and responsibilities.

Beloved friends, let us not grow weary in the process of becoming. The promises of God are sure, but they require us to be molded and shaped into His image. Let us commit to beholding Him daily, knowing that in His presence, we are transformed.

May we embrace the journey with joy, trusting that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). As we behold Him, we will indeed become all that He has said we will be.

With thoughts of kindness,

Abba’s Shofar