Beholding and Becoming

There is a famous quote, "You become what you behold." Behold comes from the Greek word, ide. Its the imperative (command) form for the word, "to know, see".  Its kind of like saying, BE SURE TO SEE THIS, DON'T MISS THIS! Life has a way of forcing itself upon us...making sure we see it, behold it...and the fruit is not always what we want to become! When we get frustrated by the news of the day, replay conversations, think about all the reasons why our loved one is late (aren't they always worst case scenarios?!), the posture of our heart becomes what we are beholding in our mind. Anger, self shaming, fear start to rule. I don't think anyone made a new year's resolution to become more of these!

Who do you desire to become? What can you start beholding in order to be transformed?

A world traveler...how about beholding a new park in your area? or plan a vacation!

A photographer...take photos from different perspectives, behold your lens in different angles!

A cook...try a new restaurant for inspiration! try a new recipe!

Joyful...serve someone in an unexpected way, in the laying down of our life, we will find it!

Encouraged...practice being thankful or speak a word of encouragement to those around you

Beholding takes some effort. 

How do we behold Jesus in order to become more like His, let more of Him transform our heart?

Psalm 27(amp) says, "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and[insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple."

A friend of mine has been posting Bible Art Journaling on Facebook...this is a great way to behold Jesus and His Word. To SEE scripture so as to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and His treasure for our hearts...refreshment for the weary that brings LIFE! After reading a Bible verse, ask God for a picture of it. A few years ago, I was wondering what the fear of the Lord is. I looked up the word fear...it means reverential awe. I asked God, what does this look like? A picture of a sunrise came to mind...YES that is reverential awe...inspiration, promise of NEW, bigger than all around me, beauty that encompasses...my trust in Him grew, yes LORD, I fear you with reverential awe and that is the beginning of many things according to your Word! 

Here are three of my friend's art journaling (used with permission) She got inspiration from an online Bible Art Journaling Challenge if you would like to join in:  http://www.rebekahrjones.com/bible-art-journaling-challenge/

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​​These are based on Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 31:25, I John 4:18

I hope these drawings have blessed you! You CAN laugh as you rest in Him  and let His love erase fear! (if you are not an artist, after reading a Bible verse that speaks to your heart, google images of that verse, likely you will find some beauty to gaze upon!)

Here's be beholding and BECOMING more!