This line of thought particularly fascinates me, because I work with wax, and know first-hand how impressionable softened wax can be.
In my line of work, we (morticians) are sometimes called to reconstruct facial features that have been obliterated by violent deaths or mutational diseases. When we apply the wax, we must take the utmost care so that the wax's suface is not marred by fingerprints or superfluous indentations that would render a synthetic appearance. The goal of restoration is to restore a healthy and lifelike appearance to the deceased - as if the accident or disease never occured. Restortion in these situtions either make or break a funeral. If the deceased is not asthetically pleasing, the entire funeral will be ruined. It doesn't matter that the hymns were sung perfectly, or the preacher preached eloquently, or the chapel was immaculately clean, or there were no spelling errors in the obituary; if the wax has fingerprints on it, or brush patterns, when the light shines on the casket everyone will see the flaw. And the mortician will be put to shame.
Wax is so impressionable. A reckless, clumsy finger can easily dent it! And it's usually not untill the body is wheeled out of the preparation room and into the chapel where the incandescent lights reflect just right and the flaw is detected. How, then, shall my flaws be detected when I stand before Christ in the Eternal Chapel of His unapproachable light! If I am not careful to smooth and perfect my wax now, while in the preparation room of earth, I will be put to open shame before the family of the Loved One, with His musicians and greeters and ushers in the Eternal Chapel.
The object my spiritual wax is being transformed into is that of the Holy Image of Christ. Through the work of the Spirit here on earth, daily, this is being done in my inner man from glory to glory. How, when I am brought before His blazing light of utter purity, will I fare? Will my spiritual features have a close enough resemblance to Son so that His Father and friends and angelic family will not be offended? Have I been a good and faithful steward, redeeming the time, walking and working in the light, allowing the Spirit full use of the restorative equipment to perfect my spiritual wax?
There's only one way to find out: I must make sure I'm walking and working in a bright morgue (for I walk among the dead) so that I can see what I am doing, where the Spirit is leading me, through what means is He mentoring me, and how effectively we are working together getting those ugly smudges out, those marring fingerprints of Satan, the fleshy thumbnail prints, the synthetic features of the world. When the chapel bell tolls for me, I pray the Holy Spirit will be able to present my wax "perfectly" before God.
Brother Paul
