Changed-From Glory into Glory

We have been looking at the topic of ‘change’ and what that might mean for our spiritual growth as the seasons change. We are drawing close to what the Celts called the ‘thin time’ when the veil between this world and the next is more transparent than usual. In Celtic thought, fall was one of those times culminating at the Feast of Samhein (Oct. 31) when spirits were free to roam the earth for that day. (Sound a little familiar?) Thin times and thin places are when we can more easily and closely find or be found by the Holy and in that mutual finding, we are changed. 

Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us in the KJV “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” I cannot hear that verse without also hearing Charles Wesley’s hymn Love Divine that ends by triumphantly promising, “Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.”

The entire hymn (below) is about the type of holy change that God works in us, when we are open to the Spirit of God. When we allow ourselves to be a ‘thin place’ God will “Fix in us Thy humble dwelling” and “Visit us with Thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.” God enters our lives through times of change and transforms us into a new creation. A creature deeper in union with the Holy.

We become that thin place and holy dwelling when we allow God to “breathe Thy loving Spirit, into every troubled breast” even and especially in times of change. Then we can “find that second rest…Set our hearts at liberty.” Being open to the Holy allows us to say, “Let us all Thy life receive”.

When we are full of the Holy, we find ourselves in a relationship to God that is “always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love”. Then the transformation and change is complete. We can offer ourselves fully to God and say, with Wesley, “Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be.”

The hymn concludes as we began with all creation being “Changed from glory into glory…Lost in wonder, love, and praise.” You can view a lovely version of this hymn on YouTube. It’s not the tune I am used to, but it is a beautiful arrangement.
The holy change God works in us when we are open to being a thin place will truly transform our lives and relationship. Come Lord Jesus, come.

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.