“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10 ESV)

For the last nearly eight years one side of the double glazing has lost it seal and has progressively accrued water and mineral deposits which have clouded the internal side of the glass and the view into the garden.  Also it is a significant area of heat loss during winter that causes condensation.

Lately, having saved up some reserves, glass fitters came and installed new panes of glass to replace the old ones.  It was amazing to suddenly be able to see through the windows into the garden without having to squint or move to the clearer side of the window.  It was quite profound which took me by surprise.

As a consequence of their size, I had both panes replaced with units that are filled with Argon gas for better heat retention.  This morning it was great to see that when the outside temperature was near freezing there was only a fraction of the moisture on the inside of the windows than that which I had to clean previously. 

This stirring event made me reflect: what is inside of us to makes a difference; our thoughts and desires which may be invisible to the physical world are revealed by who we are, what things we accrue in our actions, comments and devotion to Jesus.

Just as these new panes of glass contain invisible Argon gas that hold the heat in better and enable viewers to see through them, in some way analogous, we are vessels for the wind of God’s Holy Spirit that resides with us, revealing His unseen influences worked out in everyday life that makes known what is really inside, or conversely what is missing from us!

Unlike my old panes of glass that were removed, we have the opportunity to become cleansed from all the worldly influences that deny or obscure people’s view of God in us!  Possibly like the glass our sins are removed and new faith, hope and Godly love are refitted.  Maybe this is to stretch the analogy too far but you get the point.

Jesus is here to refit the windows of our hearts, minds and souls for the Kingdom again and again; we just have to ask Him to come in, as we stay faithful and seek to be transparent for the Kingdom to those around who can see His influence in us.

I wonder what is missing inside of us, or what do we reveal about us that is accumulating hidden today?

Prayer: LORD, we rejoice in Your saving Grace, because in loving us, You died to set us free from the influences of sin, shame and failure so we may rise up to a new life in Jesus everyday. amen.  Hallelujah.

Roderick Marshall