Reflection

Reflection.  When you hear that word, what does that mean to you?  We see amazing pictures of nature that are reflected by water.  We see incredible pictures that reflect the scenery of the beautiful places around the world.  But here’s another thought on reflection - God wants us to look in the mirror and see a reflection of his beautiful creation in you! 
This time of year, we get so caught up in details of Christmas parties and work and family outings or even travel.  What does it look like to create a culture within yourself and within your family to have a time of reflection?  Maybe that reflection is where you have come from.  Maybe it’s from a tough time in your life that God has brought you through and into a place of peace, comfort, and joy.  Maybe it's a time of reflection where you look at your family and you see a blessing of being in a relationship with them.  Maybe reflection is a time of thinking about the mistakes you've made or the times that you really felt like things were not going your way.  One of the greatest joys we have at this time of the year is a reflection of God.  This reflection remembers and celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at this time of year.  But do we really see it?
I would like to share a few verses from the Bible that can help us remember, build desire within us, and remind us to live with purpose.  Psalm 77:11 says, “I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.”  The last part of that verse says that I will read and be reminded of the things that God did as written in the Bible and even the stories told to me by the generations before me.  The first part of the verse is your story - what has God done in and for you?  These stories need to be shared and celebrated as a part of your life.  The next verse we find in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  This verse has built in me, and I hope encourages you, to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  As God reflects Himself in our lives, we remember what He has done, which creates a desire to see more.  
To be effective and encouraged, we need to remind ourselves of the places in our lives that are reflecting Jesus and the places that are not.  Proverbs 27:19 reminds us of this by saying, “As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.”  While this has been helpful to me, I find myself needing other individuals to encourage and challenge me to be a better reflection of God to my spouse, family, Church, and world around me.  
I will leave you with this verse in Hebrews 13:7:  “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”  Our prayer is that you will take time to reflect on this beautiful gift, the very presence of God which is the present of Jesus Christ who reflects God to us to reflect to others.
May God bless you richly in all things according to His purpose and plan for your life.