Written by Beth Jordahl
Imagine you are hiking with your favorite people. You woke up extra early and hopped into the car to get here. You are still feeling a bit groggy as you follow along. The sky is still kind of dark, but you can hear birds starting to sing. The air is cold on your face and you can’t feel your fingers anymore. There can’t possibly be further to go, but still you trudge on.
But then… you get to the top of a hill, everyone spreads out and stares.
You start to say something, but words fail you. Everyone is silent as you watch the beautiful pink tendrils of the sunrise start to peek out. You watch as the sky fades from black to blue. Light touches the clouds and the day begins. Wow, is the only thing you can think as you hike back down. It was worth waking up early, it was worth the aching muscles, it was worth the numb fingers and flushed cheeks. Seeing that beautiful, breath-taking moment filled you with awe and wonder about this amazing world that you live in.
In that moment, when words failed you and everyone collectively held their breaths, that moment was a BEHOLD moment.
Behold means "to witness, view attentively, contemplate," and in earlier Greek usage, it meant the sense of wondering regard. This idea was gradually lost. It signifies a more earnest contemplation than the ordinary verbs for "to see," it means, "a careful and deliberate vision which interprets its object."
You didn’t just look at or see the sunrise. You beheld it! You witnessed it happening, you watched attentively to see what would happen, and you contemplated it’s beauty as you walked away. It was a moment in time that you can now look back on and ponder.
This month, as a studio, we are studying the word BEHOLD alongside of this verse:
"We all, with unveiled faces, BEHOLDing the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Sometimes, as we continue along with our lives, we can get sidetracked. We get busy with all of our different classes, our homework, our friends, our families, our plans. We spend our days rushing to and from each good thing. And that’s what they are, they are good things! It is good to fill your days with your friends and family. School and homework are very important. Dance class is super fun! So please don’t stop doing any of it.
Yet, as life goes on and things get even busier, don’t forget to stop.
Stop the busyness for a moment, and just BEHOLD God. Look at how He is at work in your life. Wonder at how He has provided and blessed you. Contemplate all of His promises.
It is in these moments, where we stop and behold Him, that we are able to give Him the space to speak to us, to help us grow. In the Message version of this verse, it uses some beautiful language to describe this process.
“Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (MSG)
If you are looking for some ways to stop and draw closer to God, here are some helpful tips.
● MEMORIZE
Choose a verse (or go for the verse of the month) and recite it to yourself every morning and night. As you repeat it, think of all the ways God has shown Himself to you.
● STUDY THE BIBLE
Use your concordance or the internet and look for several verses that talk about God’s goodness. Write them out and ask yourself these questions.
- What do I learn about God from these verses?
- What words stand out?
- What don’t I understand?
- Then pray and ask God what He is teaching you.
● PRAY
It can be hard to get into a rhythm of prayer. So try setting alarms on your phone for every couple of hours. When the alarm goes off, take a couple of moments and just talk to God.
● DO SOMETHING
Grab your family and go experience God’s glorious creation! Try taking a walk, going for a hike, heading to a park, playing in your backyard, or going on a picnic. Whatever works best for you!
Now go ahead and keep BEHOLDing our Wonderful, Amazing God!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
- Psalm 100:4-5