A Gross Misunderstanding or My Greatest Compliment

While serving last year as pastor of a local church, an unforgettable experience came to me. I went to visit an aged saint of God in the nursing home. Medically, she was not far from departing this world. Her eyesight and hearing were failing along with her ability to sit up. We had previously shared some warm visits as we reminisced on the goodness of God throughout her life. She was also a member of what Tom Brokaw called "the greatest generation." So, her story revealed rich history. But this particular visit was quite different and I knew somewhat to expect a rather short conversation as her family conveyed to me the news of her change in awareness and general health. When I walked into the room and saw her frail body lying their on a twin bed...eyes staring to the ceiling, my heart became heavy as I assessed her physical condition. Gently, yet with firm tone, I called her name, and what came next is the reply I will soon not forget: "Is that you, Lord..." My thoughts froze as did what seemed to be the beating in my heart. Did I hear her correctly? Surely not, I thought. So, I called her name again. "Yes, Lord," was her reply. As you can imagine, I wanted to correct her, but felt a nudge in my spirit to refrain. My time with this dear one concluded with a brief, but emotional prayer. Walking down the hall toward the exit doors of the nursing home, the rewind button of my mind must have been stuck as I heard her words over and over. What a gross misunderstanding... And, yet an unarguably spiritually attuned woman of God, well into the process of departure. Okay, she was mistaken, at least in my mind, but the challenge has stayed with me. Can you and I really be mistaken for the Lord Jesus Christ? I mean, does our approach in life so reflect the tenderness of Christ that others see more of Him than us? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." May we cooperative with the Spirit's work in us and live to hear the greatest compliment we could be paid...