Reflecting His Light

Last night there was a brilliantly shining moon in the night sky. The light from it spilled across my snowy yard, making 9 pm seem like dawn. But, it was not actually light from the moon which is just a lump of rock about 240,000 miles from the earth without any source of light-producing energy. So, where did that moonlight come from? The sun! The moon is just a reflector. 

How beautiful the sun’s radiance makes that moon in the sky.

We exist to reflect God’s radiance, His glory, into our world.  Jesus says that our lives, when connected intimately to Him, like a branch to a Vine causes growth of spiritual fruit. Why? "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8, NIV)  Paul says that "And we, … all reflect the Lord’s glory … being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)

Our lives will change, the emphasis of our prayers will shift, our joy will increase when we humbly accept that life is about revealing the glory of God, not about making a name for ourselves. Christian, as we face challenges, we can pray, “Show Your glory in me.” How can He do that? By giving us steady faith, by keeping us full of hope, shielding our heart from bitterness; OR by removing the problem, giving us victory.  Who doesn’t prefer the latter? But, if He choses to lead us through the trial rather than lifting us out of it, will we let His glory shine?

There are daily disciplines that open up channels for His life to flow into us. Reading of the Word, prayer that engages both our mind and heart, confession of our utter dependence on Him, service that dethrones our ego and enthrones Christ, gathering with His people to worship, giving of ourselves and our resources:  these things are choices we make as the Spirit invites us to come near.

When we do, there is a radiance that shines through us. This is His Glory! Christian, choose the glory of God today!  In the story of Samuel, we are told about a leader of Israel named Eli. He was a godly man, but his sons were corrupt. They abused and misused ‘godly things’ for their own purposes. God lifted His blessings. Eli’s daughter-in-law, grieving the loss of that glory, named her child, Ichabod I, which means ‘The Glory is departed.’  Trust Him, walking close to Him. Don’t allow His splendor to be lost.

Here is a word from the Word. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you." (Isaiah 60:1-2, NIV)
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Glory To His Name

Down at the cross where my Savior died

Down where for cleansing from sin I cried

There to my heart was the blood applied

Glory to His name

Glory to His name

Glory to His name

There to my heart was the blood applied

Glory to His name

I am so wondrously saved from sin

Jesus so sweetly abides within

There at the cross where He took me in

Glory to His name

O precious fountain that saves from sin

I am so glad I have entered in

There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean

Glory to His name

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet

Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet

Plunge in today and be made complete

Glory to His name

CCLI Song # 57667

Elisha Albright Hoffman | John Hart Stockton

© Words: Public Domain