“As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

When I read this verse afresh just yesterday, I laughed and smiled. Here’s David, a former shepherd boy, now the King and very prosperous. He has risen from poverty to royalty and yet he says he will only be satisfied when he awakes and sees himself in the likeness of God. In other words, until he sees himself conformed to the likeness of God, not just in some sort of physical resemblance, but truly resembling the image, character and qualities of God, he will not be satisfied. What a goal!

What does that look like and how do we get there? We have a greater volume of Scripture to learn from plus the revelation and teachings of Jesus Christ. We know about the fruit of the Spirit. We can read the Beatitudes. We can study and emulate the life of Christ. We know His image far better.

For me however, it is less about perfecting a check list of known “God qualities” and more about spending time with the Father. Remember Moses? He spent time with God and his very visage was transformed so much he had to wear a veil! Reading David’s words gave me a new goal, one I know I won’t live long enough on earth to achieve. I won’t be satisfied until I awake with His likeness. And everyday between now and then, it will be my supreme pleasure and high honor to pursue God and revel in His presence, all the while being changed in subtle ways I may not notice until one day… that day… when I awake and truly possess His likeness through and through. Care to join me?