Col 3:3-11 (10)
The men in the Woods family laugh and bear it. There is no reason to deny the fact that if you have seen one of the Woods family you have seen them all. We could have a random changing of noses and no one would notice that anything had changed in our appearance. We bear a resemblance that is unmistakable.
My first grandson, Joshua Gayle Woods, was born December 24, 2001. The discussion among the ladies followed the well worn path of former discussions. AI think that he has Becky’s nose and ears.” AI think he has Jonathan’s eyes.” Feeling a little mischievous I picked up Joshua and held his face next to mine and said, “Can’t you see the resemblance?”
In like manner, there must be a resemblance that is clear when people look at our character, our priorities, our ethics and our purpose for living. When they look at us they must see a resemblance of Jesus. When we are “born from above” we are made in the likeness of our Lord. When we become a “living sacrifice” we are conformed to His image. Our lives are to be a mirrored image of the One we serve. He alone must be seen when people look at us. This only becomes possible in the serious pursuit of holiness.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Eph 2:(18)-22
Have you ever noticed the elastic nature of love? My wife and I were happily married for five years before David was born. I thought my heart would burst with love. I guess that proud pain I was feeling was the stretching of my love to include another member in the family. But it happened again. Jonathan was born eighteen months later. I felt that wonderful pain of love stretching. Five years later when Ben was born I thought I could not bear the joy. . . the overwhelming since of love. I felt the pain of love stretching even more. Surely that would be it. But my love was to stretch even more, for when Jonathan married Becky I once again felt the pain of my love stretching. And it is still happening! Joshua was born the day before Christmas in 2001 and then Emily brought us more joy when she was born in October 2003. (Would you like to see my pictures?) Our love has stretched to include more people into our family. In so doing those members have actually been woven into the fabric of mutual love. We are one. It is no wonder that Jesus used the family to express the concept of what happens when we are born of God. He says we are “grafted into the vine.” He says we are “sons.” I believe He experiences the same joyful pain of the love stretch every time someone calls on Him asking that He pardon them for their sinfulness.
Dr. Gayle Woods
