WHAT DOES GLORY LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES GLORY LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES GLORY TASTE LIKE?

WHAT DOES GLORY FEEL LIKE?

WHAT DOES GLORY SOUND LIKE?

WHAT DOES GLORY SMELL LIKE?

I was taking a walk with one Lord one sunny morning this past summer, when I heard in my spirit a song that God was singing to me:

“What does glory look like, look like, look like?

What does glory taste like, taste like, taste like?

What does glory feel like, feel like, feel like?

What does glory sound like, sound like, sound like?

What does glory smell like, smell like, smell like?”

Smiling, I sang back to God my answers:

“It looks like you – in your glory I see glory.

It tastes like you – O taste and see how very good you are.

It feels like you – every hug is from the Father.

It sounds like you – rushing waters, sounds of comfort.

It smells like you – salty ocean, fragrant flowers.

It looks like you.”

Then He sang it again, “What does glory look like, taste like, feel like, sound like, smell like,” but this time he answered:

“It looks like you – you reflect me in my image.

It tastes like you – you carry my flavor.

It feels like you – every hug is from the Father.

It sounds like you – my words from your mouth.

It smells like you – the fragrance of heaven clinging to you.

It looks like you.”

What?!? Me, God? 

Glory looks like me? 

It was as if Father God was inviting me to a glory encounter, as if he was inviting me to enter into his glory, and come out looking like him.  I have heard Pastor Bill Johnson (Redding, CA) refer to the scripture in Isa. 42:8, where Isaiah writes that God does not share his glory with “another”. But Johnson is quick to state that we are not “another”.  We are his kids, and we get to share his glory. 

Parents don’t get upset when their children shine and excel in what they’re doing.  No, we celebrate our children’s achievements and awards as if they were our own.  And Father God does the same with his kids, with us.  “That’s my son!  That’s my daughter!  Chips off the old block!” he boasts.  He demonstrates his glory to the world through his creation, through his word, through his acts, and through his kids.

So, what does it look like for God to share his glory with us?  In Luke 6:18 we read that “The entire crowd eagerly tried to come near Jesus so they could touch him and be healed, because a tangible supernatural power emanated from him, healing all who came close to him.”  Later, in Acts 5, we see people getting healed who just managed to walk in Peter’s shadow.  I believe that was God sharing his glory with Peter, so that the same supernatural power emanated from Peter and spilled out on the people who came near to him.  Jesus promised that “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12).

So go ahead, SHINE! Don’t worry about getting a big head over it. When I see every blade of grass glistening in the dew on a cool fall morning, I don’t praise the grass.  They’re just blades of grass covered in dew, just doing what they were created to do.  They look beautiful, as they reflect the glory of the Father.  And you, you shine with his glory as you do that thing that you were made for, that thing that makes you say, “this is the reason I’m alive!”

So go ahead, draw near to God.  Then dance, write, paint, create, sculpt, teach, sing, act, work in your trade, serve – with all your might.  You’ll glisten with glory, just like those ordinary blades of grass covered with the dew of heaven.  And people will notice, and that’s ok.  Don’t worry about the glory on you; just reflect it right back to God.  May it be said of you, as with Peter and John in Acts 4:13, that people “were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus”.