How We Become What We Behold

Real life happening

Two men, the sons of a wealthy man, set out to not become like their dad. One of them was so determined to be unlike his father that he scorned all his father’s good points. Where his father was disciplined about work, this man wanted to be the opposite. So he kept referencing his father to make sure he wasn’t like him – and became just like the man on whom he had been focusing. Oh, he wasn’t disciplined about work; in fact, he could hardly hold a job. Instead of being consumed with work, he became consumed with alcohol. The same characteristics that made his father a workaholic created an alcoholic.

The other son appreciated his father’s work ethic, but didn’t want to be like him in relationships. Instead of looking at his father and trying to measure opposite, he changed his focus to someone he admired and respected. In watching this man and measuring himself by a different man’s standards, the second son became unlike his father by changing his focus. We become like those we behold.

Changed from focus

Scripture tells us this is so. If we want to become like someone, all we need to do is focus on that person. It matters not if we are trying to become unlike that person, or if we want to become like that person; if we focus on that person, and we will become like him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us:

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.

The secret to becoming what we behold

When life is frustrating, when hurts are deep, when betrayal is real, choose to change your focus. Instead of looking at the frustrations, the hurts, and the betrayal, look at the Person who makes the difference. Consider His glory. Focus on His glory. It’s true. His glory changes us. In focusing on His Person and His glory, we experience the changes: we become what we behold.

Photo by Emily Numen/Pixabay.com