Have you ever been with someone who, after spending time with them, makes you feel as if you’ve been with God? A person whose countenance glows and whose spirit shines?

I have. After I wave good-bye, hang up the phone, or conclude reading correspondence from them my spirit soars. Why? Because I have encountered one who reflects Christ. And I sometimes wonder – how did they get that way?

Recall with me a story of Moses from Exodus 34. Moses returns to the Israelite camp with the second set of stone tablets on which he has written God’s commandments. The skin of Moses’ face is shining, so much so that after he talks with the people he covers his face with a veil. Why is Moses’ face shining? Because he has been with God. Moses has been talking with God and his face reflects God’s glory.

Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” One who is pure in heart will know God intimately and see Him as He really is. When you encounter someone who radiates Christ, you are seeing one whose heart has been cleansed by Christ’s blood, and who practices maintaining a pure heart. The outworking of our hearts – our actions, our thoughts, our desires, our motivations, and our reasonings are kept pure by pursuing a relationship with God and by submitting to the guardianship of His Word. Although the one who is pure in heart does not have a shining face as Moses did, this person is easy to spot. And rather than shielding yourself from the brightness of their spirit, you want to bask in its glow.

Meet my friend Marcy. She and her husband were visiting a church for several weeks so her husband could preach during the absence of the pastor. Naturally, people in the church hosted them at mealtime.

One lady approached Marcy soon after her dinner at one home.

“How was dinner at so-and-so’s? Didn’t you just love their house? It is decorated so beautifully!”

“We had a wonderful time,” Marcy replied. “I guess the house was nice – I didn’t really notice. I’m more interested in the people.”

That response radiated Christ to me. Marcy was not looking to impress her hostess, and Marcy was not looking to be impressed.

We had opportunity to host a dinner guest in our home a short time later. I baked homemade rolls to serve with the meal but forgot to add one essential ingredient – the yeast. The rolls were a flop, literally. We laughed together at the dinner table and did without. I didn’t care, and neither did my guest, because my guest was Marcy.

I have not seen Marcy for many years, but her life invigorates me. Her e-mail messages speak of God, of His goodness, and of His work in her heart. Marcy’s heart is pure; she has been with God. And because she meets with Him her spirit shines.

Written by Jonie Turner French. This article was published in the Fall 2009 edition of The Beautiful Spirit magazine.
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