Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

In the classic story of Pinocchio, the puppet was made by Gepetto, the wood-craftsman. And he had a life of sorts, when his strings were pulled and they made him dance. But this was not really life, this was but a small piece of what it meant to be alive — movement. He longed to become a real boy and that magically happened one day. In the meantime, he could now, due to the enchanted wood he was carved out of, run and play. But along came some “friends” who talked him into going to the circus and skipping school one day. Pinocchio knew this was wrong, and his father would not want him to skip school, but he did it anyway. And let’s just say, the circus was not all it was cracked up to be. He ended up becoming a prisoner to the evil circus leader. He had been lured into an evil place and entrapped. In the end, after he escaped from the circus and went back and rescued Gepetto, he became a real boy.

It is so interesting to listen to the things that promise freedom in this world today. Things such as financial independence, reputation, position and power, control of your life, picking only positive people to hang with, setting up a bubble of security around you, or taking a lot of vacations or trips (in part to escape reality).

These are all enticing, and the spiritual forces of evil in this world promise “life fulfillment” and a “lasting legacy”. But they are all lies. And after some time, they will entrap you in sin just like Pinocchio was entrapped at the circus. Why? Because in the end, the root motives behind each of these pursuits are self-serving. We cannot be good on our own.

True freedom and a vibrant life today, tomorrow, and for eternity can only be found in one person — our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must agree to have the veil that hides the really messed up state we are in, because of our sin, removed from our eyes. And once this is done: we trust, follow, and obey. Then he gives us his Spirit to live inside our hearts.

As we do these things, we see the hand of God in our lives, and it is powerful in its sacrificial and unconditional love and transparent truthfulness. We are transformed into his likeness … the likeness of the Son of God.

And just like Pinocchio became real in the end, we are transformed into spiritual lighthouses of God’s glory. The spiritual radiance of the likeness of Christ in us will be on full display for others to see, as he uses us for his glory! And we will boldly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Thank you, Father, for the freedom you give in Jesus Christ. You do not give as the world gives. The world lies to us and entraps us with broken promises. You are the truth. Your Word, the Bible, is truth. And so, I will follow you to transformation and true freedom, no matter the pain or challenge that awaits. I am fully committed to you, Jesus!