Reflections

Recently while walking around a lake near my home, I saw a beautiful reflection of trees, sky, and ducks in the water around me.  It got me to thinking about reflections. Upon further observation, I realized that the reflection needed light and calmness of the water to produce the image I was seeing.

Reflections are the consequence of something else.  It is a transferred image.  It is a change in direction, an interface that meets and interacts, communicates, and if conditions are right, connects.  Reflections are full of light and are bright.
Jesus wants our lives to be a reflection of His life and everything He is.  When we become a child of God His image is transferred on to us.  We become a reflection of Jesus.  Wow!
Remember what I wrote earlier that a reflection has to have light?  Jesus is the light.  In His own words He tells us: “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light (or reflection) shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).  Or how about in Luke 8 where Jesus says, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  Your eye is the lamp of your body.  When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.  Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright (a reflection, shining) as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” 
Light and darkness cannot co-exist.  Darkness is the absence of light.  One cannot reflect the Lord Jesus Christ and live in the darkness.  Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).  There is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest, or is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  Which do we love – the light or the darkness?
In order to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, we have to accept the transferred image of Christ into our own lives.  We have to change our direction and exchange our life for His.  There has to be an interface, a calm that produces the perfect reflection – a connection with the Holy Spirit, which opens our communication with God the Father, which will produce the reflection of Jesus to all around us!

​Does He See His Own Reflection?
When Jesus looks upon my life,
What picture does He see?
Does He see His own reflection,
Or does He just see me?
 
Does He see His likeness,
The product of His hand?
Or just another Christian,
Who never took a stand?
 
Does He see a child of God,
A child that He made free,
Living life to honor Him,
Or does He just see me?
 
What about the other folks,
I meet along the way,
Do I show them Jesus,
To brighten up their day?
 
When someone looks into my eyes, 
Can they truly see
That calm and gentle peace of God
That dwells inside of me?
 
When I reach out and shake a hand,
Is He right there in my grip?
Can they feel that strength from God
That steadies when I slip?
 
When folks are in my presence,
Do they know His Spirit’s there?
Can they see that He’s the One
Who guides me everywhere?
 
When other people think of me,
What is on their mind?
Do they think of Jesus Christ,
So gentle and so kind?
 
I try to be like Jesus
Every single day,
Spreading love and kindness
All along my way.
 
I’m afraid that I have failed;
I could not pass the test.
Deep inside my heart I know
I haven’t done my best.
 
I have had to fight my flesh,
Since the day that I was born.
It’s always causing trouble,
And being such a thorn.
 
That’s why His Spirit dwells in me.
He’s helping me to learn
In every situation
Where I need to turn.
 
He knew I’d never pass the test.
That’s why He took my place.
He gave His life to save my soul;
He suffered my disgrace.
 
Now I try to be like Him; 
I must represent Him well.
So other folks will want His gift
And turn their backs on hell.
 
Other folks should see the joy
That Christ has given me.
They should want to have it, too,
Especially since it’s free.
 
They should begin to ask me,
What is it they must do,
Just how it is they go about
Getting Jesus, too.
 
Then I get to tell them
This wondrous gift is free.
It only takes a humble heart,
A prayer on bended knee.
 
Someday when I’m face to face
With the Lord who made me free
Will He see His own reflection,
Or will he just see me?
 
(Author unknown – reprinted with permission from Skywriting.net)