We are grinded down and broken to be healed and restored.

So, with the busyness this week with school and just… distress/ life, it’s been so amazing to see the fruit of the seeds that the Lord has been scattering. He's been showing me just how active he is in working and changing us- making us light, changing our hearts, blessing our faith- not just because he loves us or because we are his, but to gain for himself a glorious name; for his own renown. All that we have accomplished, God has done for us (Isaiah 26:12). He has allowed us to behold the glory of Christ with unveiled faces, but not just for our own eyes. We are to reflect his glory. That’s why he has made his light shine in us. To give him the ever-increasing glory.
Personally, I feel like I’ve been a gear this week- working and just being… grinded down that He could show himself to me that much more brightly. I read Isaiah 35:10:

the ransomed of the Lord will return.
they will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

He has promised us everlasting joy in his presence! The joy and light that comes from knowing him should radiate off of me to all! For his glory. He is revealing himself to His people for His glory. The Light of the World has not only shined on us, but given us light to be light to those in darkness.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. – 2 Cor. 4:6

-emily