In this world, we are bombarded with slogans, advice, products, and even poetry to slow the process of aging, to keep healthy, or at least to look younger. “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better.” “Age gracefully.” Or, in the alternative, “Do not go gently into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day, rage, rage, against the dying of the light.” (Dylan Thomas).
When Moses went back up on the mountain and spoke with God, he returned with a shining face, his countenance glowed with glory. The people told him they were afraid of him, so he put a veil over his face (Exodus 34:29-35). When he went before the LORD to speak with Him, Moses removed the veil, and replaced it when he walked among the people. But as he aged, the glory of his face began to fade, and he wore the veil to hide his fading glory. These verses teach us that in Christ our glory doesn’t fade; it increases!
You’re not getting older, you’re getting more glorious! Maturing in Christ brings with it more and more glory, increasing glory. There is no veil between us and God, we have full access in Christ, and as we gaze into the face of God, as we read His Word, as we spend time in prayer, as we follow in the footsteps of Christ, we are changed more and more into the image and glory of Christ.
As we age our bodies and minds age, too. We may find ourselves less able to do things, or remember things. I believe in the hereafter; I walk into a room and wonder, “What am I here after?” This verse tells us that every day, every season, gets us closer to God, brings more glory. Some may reminisce about the “good old days” wishing they could return to younger days. I don’t want a reset. I love the maturity God has created in my life, the lessons I’ve learned and the faith journeys I’ve completed through His grace. Repeating the same mistakes, the same sins, going through the same problems all over again has no appeal to me – I’d do it all the same. And I wouldn’t want to sacrifice the glory I’ve attained thus far.
For Moses, for the Old Testament priests, glory required protection, shielding. In Christ the veil has been removed, and we gaze into that glory unshielded, because our spirits can not only tolerate glory, but absorb it in greater and greater quantities. More and more exposure to God’s truth makes us more and more like Christ, stepping more and more into the God-image in which we were created. More exposure to God’s glory makes us reflect God’s glory more. It shows up in our faces, in our character, in our lives. And that is the joy of maturing in the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: Increase Your glory in me, O Holy Spirit of God. Let me rejoice in each new day, knowing that whatever my age or season in life, I am becoming more and more in Your image, more and more I reflect Your glory. Let me shine with Your light so others may see Your glory, and be drawn to it. In Jesus’ name, amen.