The Great Stone Face, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story about a boy named Ernest. At six years of age his mother told him the legend of the Great Stone Face.

A mountain nearby had a rocky profile which resembled a strong, noble face. The legend was that one day a man who resembled the Great Stone Face would come and be the noblest person of his time.

Ernest was always intrigued by the Great Stone Face. As the years passed, several men returned to the little town having distinguished themselves in commerce or war or politics. The boy wondered if they were the Great Stone Face, yet they all lacked character. Ernest came to realize that fame and fortune do not easily translate into nobility or goodness. 

Inspired by this dream of meeting a man of noble character, Ernest matured into a great man of humility and wisdom, and near the end of his life the villagers recognized Ernest as the Great Stone Face.

The moral of the story is we become what we worship. When we worship those who achieve fame or fortune, we will become just as vain and shallow as they are. The Psalmist recognized this truth in the idolaters of his day: "Those who make them become like them" (Psalm 115:8). 

Yet when we look into the face of Jesus Christ... when we study his character and admire his goodness... when we worship his compassion and adore his commitment to the Father... then gradually a transformation takes place! 

We are transformed by "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Father, we pray you might fill us with the knowledge of your Son in all spiritual wisdom and understanding that we might be completely transformed into his glorious image!