What You See is What You Get
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
06/01/2021
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8)
From time to time, I will come across something unusual and remark to myself or those around me, “You don’t see that very often.” I recall one such occasion several years ago when I received a computer disc in the mail with a note attached that said simply, “Found this on a plane and thought you might need it.” Evidently, on one of my recent speaking trips, a disc had fallen out of my briefcase as I was getting on or off a plane. This was back in the day when everyone used portable discs to store data instead of the cloud. The note was not signed, and the person had evidently tracked me down through our ministry web site NotByWorks.org. Thankfully, there was nothing on the disc that could compromise my personal data. It was a back-up copy of a few sermon notes from my computer. So, when I realized it was missing, I was not too worried about it. Nevertheless, it was great to get it back, and I thought, “Wow! How kind of that person. You don’t see that very often.”
Not only do we sometimes see things that are rare, sometimes we see things that are not there at all. Flip Wilson had a variety show back in the early 1970s that included a lot of humorous skits, music, and guests. One of the recurring characters was Geraldine Wilson, whose tagline was “What you see is what you get!” That phrase took on new meaning with the onset of the windows-based user interface for personal computers. The new technology meant that what you saw on the screen was exactly how it would look on paper when printed. It was often referred to by the acronym WYSIWYG.
WYSIWYG is great for computers. When it comes to one’s outlook on life, however, it can have a detrimental effect. Psychologists call it a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” For years I had a quote hanging on my office wall that was there to remind me to praise my children regularly. The quote is meant to be a message to parents from the heart of a young child. It goes like this: “What you think of me, I’ll think of me. And what I think of me, I’ll be.”
This principle is important not only for children but for Christians as well. What do you think of when you think about your relationship with Christ? Is it merely a ritual or tradition? Is your fellowship with other Christians akin to a social club or community gathering? Your view of the Christian life will be determined by how you see it. What you see will be what you get.
Peter, James, and John had an unusual experience with the Lord one day on top of a mountain. We call it the “Mount of Transfiguration,” though the exact location is unknown. Having brought the three disciples up to the top of the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them. Elijah and Moses also appeared. It was an amazing moment, and Peter in particular was filled with wonder. Thinking that the Kingdom was about to be inaugurated right then and there, Peter suggested to the others that they build tents and stay awhile! Then, God spoke forcefully from heaven, and the disciples fell flat on their faces. Jesus lovingly walked over to them, gently touched them and said, “Arise, do not be afraid.” When they got up and opened their eyes, the Bible tells us, “They saw no one but Jesus only” (Matthew 17:8).
What is the point? What Jesus wanted Peter, James, and John to understand is that when all is said and done, the only thing that matters is Jesus. Not the Law and the Prophets. Not the meaningless efforts of man to build houses. Not the misguided words of church leaders like Peter who failed to listen to Christ. Not the supporting silence of James and John. But Jesus only. The story of the transfiguration seeks a Christian life that is Jesus-centered. What you see is what you get. When you look in the mirror do you see a life rooted in Christ?
06/01/2021
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8)
From time to time, I will come across something unusual and remark to myself or those around me, “You don’t see that very often.” I recall one such occasion several years ago when I received a computer disc in the mail with a note attached that said simply, “Found this on a plane and thought you might need it.” Evidently, on one of my recent speaking trips, a disc had fallen out of my briefcase as I was getting on or off a plane. This was back in the day when everyone used portable discs to store data instead of the cloud. The note was not signed, and the person had evidently tracked me down through our ministry web site NotByWorks.org. Thankfully, there was nothing on the disc that could compromise my personal data. It was a back-up copy of a few sermon notes from my computer. So, when I realized it was missing, I was not too worried about it. Nevertheless, it was great to get it back, and I thought, “Wow! How kind of that person. You don’t see that very often.”
Not only do we sometimes see things that are rare, sometimes we see things that are not there at all. Flip Wilson had a variety show back in the early 1970s that included a lot of humorous skits, music, and guests. One of the recurring characters was Geraldine Wilson, whose tagline was “What you see is what you get!” That phrase took on new meaning with the onset of the windows-based user interface for personal computers. The new technology meant that what you saw on the screen was exactly how it would look on paper when printed. It was often referred to by the acronym WYSIWYG.
WYSIWYG is great for computers. When it comes to one’s outlook on life, however, it can have a detrimental effect. Psychologists call it a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” For years I had a quote hanging on my office wall that was there to remind me to praise my children regularly. The quote is meant to be a message to parents from the heart of a young child. It goes like this: “What you think of me, I’ll think of me. And what I think of me, I’ll be.”
This principle is important not only for children but for Christians as well. What do you think of when you think about your relationship with Christ? Is it merely a ritual or tradition? Is your fellowship with other Christians akin to a social club or community gathering? Your view of the Christian life will be determined by how you see it. What you see will be what you get.
Peter, James, and John had an unusual experience with the Lord one day on top of a mountain. We call it the “Mount of Transfiguration,” though the exact location is unknown. Having brought the three disciples up to the top of the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them. Elijah and Moses also appeared. It was an amazing moment, and Peter in particular was filled with wonder. Thinking that the Kingdom was about to be inaugurated right then and there, Peter suggested to the others that they build tents and stay awhile! Then, God spoke forcefully from heaven, and the disciples fell flat on their faces. Jesus lovingly walked over to them, gently touched them and said, “Arise, do not be afraid.” When they got up and opened their eyes, the Bible tells us, “They saw no one but Jesus only” (Matthew 17:8).
What is the point? What Jesus wanted Peter, James, and John to understand is that when all is said and done, the only thing that matters is Jesus. Not the Law and the Prophets. Not the meaningless efforts of man to build houses. Not the misguided words of church leaders like Peter who failed to listen to Christ. Not the supporting silence of James and John. But Jesus only. The story of the transfiguration seeks a Christian life that is Jesus-centered. What you see is what you get. When you look in the mirror do you see a life rooted in Christ?
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