Models

Eph 1:13-14 tells us that “the Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession.”  The Spirit has this awesome job to form and transform us so that we mirror Christ, so that we reflect His glory, so that we become models here of what we will be when we fully receive God’s redemption in heaven. 

Models are miniatures of something larger and much more intricate.  Think about the model cars you, a brother or someone you know built when you were about 10 years old.  Model cars come in all shapes and sizes. Many are on a scale of 1/25 that means that if something like a seat is 25 inches in full size then it is one inch on the model.  We, therefore as models, are not expected to be as perfect, as detailed or as refined as that which we imitate. We are certainly however, to closely resemble and be recognizable as that which we model, Christ. 

Did you know that model cars are made for different skill levels.   Skill 1 is the snap together variety, glue may or may not be required.  Skill 2 requires glue and paint that are not included in the kit.  They can be quite detailed and require some previous experience to be able to put together beautifully. They also take more than an afternoon to construct. Skill 3 is for the advanced modeller.  These are complex models.  They require advanced tools and have more working parts like steering wheels that move wheels that actually turn, or wiring or hinged doors. They often have accessory kits to make the challenge of putting together a more exact representation of the real thing.

We are models. When the Spirit starts working on us we are the Skill 1 variety, brought into likeness but at a simple level. God wants conformity, but his expectation is simple.  Only once we have had practice does He add pieces to the puzzle to help us resemble Christ more exactly.   We know all along that we have a ways to go, but our heart is to be set on imitating more and more closely, in greater and greater detail our Lord and Saviour.  We do this through the workmanship of the Spirit conforming us into Christ’s image.  We must cooperate and let the work be done and take up the challenge, otherwise we will imitate poorly.

I marvel at well constructed models.  I only hope that as a result of letting the Spirit work and being cooperative in the process that God could look at me and say, wow she is really coming together nicely.