“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

 

It’s time to be developed...

 

This verse makes me think of the old Polaroid shots that used to develop as you watched. You could literally see the picture appearing after being pushed out of the camera. The developing of a Polaroid shot actually correlates very well with the developing of the Christian life.

 

“So all of us who have had that veil removed…” As Christians, we have! The shutter has been opened, we’ve been exposed, and now we’re beginning to reflect the image!

 

It’s obvious that all the chemicals needed to develop pictures taken by a Polaroid camera are present before taking the shot. Everything that’s required to produce a picture is already there. The only thing lacking, to get it started, is the initial moment of being open to the light. The minute the exposure is made, the picture is pushed out (kind of like being born…) and the pressure of “that birth” activates the chemicals.

 

Everyone comes into this world with all that’s needed to be transformed into the image of Christ; after all, the unique creation of mankind started with these words from God: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) After the fall, however, the Bible tells us that children were born “in his [Adam’s] own likeness, in his [Adam’s] own image.” (Genesis 5:3) God originally created us to be like Him; He still desires that.

 

Being changed into the image of Christ is like watching a Polaroid picture develop; the image develops slowly, over time. We can see the faint image at first, and then we watch as the picture gets clearer and clearer until it completely reflects the image to which is was exposed. And, there’s no rushing the process, either.

 

If you’ve ever used a Polaroid camera, you were probably tempted to blow on the picture or shake it back and forth to speed up the process of its development. Those actions didn’t enhance the process; in fact, sometimes they frustrated it because of smudging or because the picture simply flew out of your hand. (Okay, I’m speaking from experience…) Likewise, we can’t rush Christian development, especially of others. PLEASE DON’T SHAKE THEM!! Instruct them, disciple them, encourage them, but don’t shake them ☺

 

The best thing about the development of a Christian is that when it’s all said and done, we will be completely changed into the picture perfect, true image. We’ll all be at different stages when that time comes for us, some of us just barely exposed and some so close to full development that it's hard to tell what's not developed. BUT the process can only be completed if it’s been started! If the camera hasn’t been “clicked,” if no exposure has been made, then there’s no picture to develop.