What Are You Reflecting?

I had a great conversation last weekend with a buddy I was riding with about the different stages we've been through in life as it pertained to "stuff" we acquired. And when I say stuff, I'm talking about the fancy cars, the expansive homes, all of it. We basically concluded that as we get older and more mature, we realize we don't need all that stuff anymore, and it never reflected who we really are anyhow. In fact, we felt like God sent us through those stages in life, not to look back on with regret, but to help us see that none of it really matters anyhow. What really matters is our faith in God, and being ready to follow His plan for us. Being able to be who we really are.

But who is that, really? When people look at you, what do they see? It's been said we are reflections of Christ, made in God's image. But when people look at you, do they see Him, or some version of who society says you are?

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"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."

Ephesians 5:8

Look, we can be just another reflection of the people, ideas, culture, and trends around us. Or we can be something different. Something bright. We can learn about God, His ways, and His plan for our lives. That makes us reflections of something very different, God's loving light. If we shine God's light, that bright light will brighten up the world around us.

So ask yourself this question. Who are you reflecting? Yourself? Your friends? God? Something else? Are you becoming more like the world, or more like God?

I spent most of my life trying to reflect what I thought others wanted to see in me. I'm probably not alone. But it wasn't until I gave my life over to God that I became consumed with trying to be a reflection of Him and His work in me. While we may fail, the desire to serve Him supersedes anything we've done in the past.

Be Nice. Grace Wins.

FMJ