"As water reflects a face, so a
man's heart reflects the man." (Prov 27:19 NIV)
Walking in God's nature near Peggy's Cove, Nova
Scotia, I couldn't help but admire the reflections in the tide pools. Not only
was the sun mirrored in the pools, but the clouds and sky were as well, creating
a natural, beautiful painting of what surrounded me.
During the winter of that same year, while exploring
my own "arctic" world in southern Canada, I was made aware that even the snow
reflects the heavens, and especially the sun. It was mystic, unreal. Wherever I
turned, whispers from above were shining in the tiny specks of individual
snowflakes.
The very next spring, while trekking through
Presqu'Isle State Park in Pensylvania, I noticed that even sand, that has been
briefly covered by water, reflects the elements from above, specifically the
sun.
Isn't it interesting that none of these elements -
Sand, water or snow, can stop themselves from reflecting the sun!
We, too, reflect who we fix our eyes on. If it is
worldly pleasure, our reflection will be geared towards the selfish side. If it
is the Son of God, we will reflect Him, the source of all life. We can't help
but reflect His light! He is our source of happiness as well as our inner peace!
As we contemplate our Master at work, that reflection
of Him in our lives will become clearer and clearer. After all, we ARE sons and
daughters of God!
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing
glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor 3:18 NIV)
It's much harder to reflect Jesus while in the midst
of adverse circumstances, however. Reflections can't happen without the light of
the sun. Our testimony cannot be effective unless we are fixing our eyes
constantly on the Son!
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished
this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he
was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with
anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place
of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith,
go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed
through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3 The Message)
Why is it that we recoil from serving God when trouble
strikes? Is it possible that we have fallen under the enchantments of the evil
one? It is in those times that we need, more than ever, the very presence of the
Son of God. He is the only One who can keep us unblemished in our reflection of
the Most High!
Who are you reflecting?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.