We were made to reflect His image. We were saved to reflect His Glory.
His Glory. Not ours. Not the world’s. The Glory we are called to reflect is His and His alone, so in order to do it, we must pursue it by walking in His Truth. When we walk with Him daily by spending time in His Word and prayer, we’ll be able to reflect and live out that Truth. Reflecting His Glory is a concept so contrary to the ways of the world that it clashes with the “rays” of the world.
We all long to shine bright, right? Make a difference? Be the change? Well, the truth is: we can’t, we never have, and we never will — apart from Him.
What is man made or manufactured will malfunction. Artificial light will always dim and eventually burn out. You can change bulbs or batteries in an effort to keep things bright, but eventually anything in and of this world will lose its light, cease to shine, and grow dark.
But the sun is always shining, whether we see it or not. It will not lose its light, cease to shine, or grow dark. And the Son is our source of light and life as well. He defeated spiritual darkness by defeating death, and He was and is and forever will be the Light of the World.
Because He is the source of life and the source of light, things that truly make a difference, things of eternal significance, do not happen apart from Him.
The Old Testament begins this way:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3, ESV).
The New Testament continues with the Gospel of John beginning this way:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5, ESV).
When we are fully following Christ, empty of ourselves and full of Him, we can light up the darkest places simply by reflecting His light.
We shine brightest by reflecting His light. A full moon has no light source of its own, but it can light up a night sky simply by being full and reflecting the light of the sun. When we are fully following Christ, empty of ourselves and full of Him, we can light up the darkest places simply by reflecting His light.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV).
We cannot truly shine bright apart from reflecting The One True Light. That light source must fill us up so that we might spill it out. We show and spread that which we store up, and we store up what we allow in.
We show and spread that which we store up, and we store up what we allow in.
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Matthew 12:34b-35, ESV).
Father, thank you for removing the veil so that I may truly behold your glory every single day. Thank you for transforming my life and making me more like you as I seek to honor you in all I say and do. Father, would you lead me down paths and into places that need the light of your glory to be reflected in me and revealed through your Holy Spirit? Remove any sin, doubt, or fear that would dim your light in me.
I want to fully reflect your glory as I fully submit to your authority. I want to show your love and spread your Gospel by spilling out into the world all that my heart has stored up from your Word. Thank you for your gift of light, May I reflect it aright. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Daily Reading Plan for the Second Week of Advent
Sunday (12/4) — LIGHT in the Storms of Life: Matthew 8:23-27 & Psalm 89:8-9
Monday (12/5) — Guiding LIGHT: Matthew 9:36-38 & Ezekiel 34:11-12
Tuesday (12/6) — LIGHT over the Darkness: Matthew 10:27-28 & Isaiah 42:16
Wednesday (12/7) — LIGHT that Unburdens: Matthew 11:28-29 & Isaiah 55:22
Thursday (12/8) — LIGHT that Reflects: Matthew 12:33-37 & Genesis 1:27
Friday (12/9) — LIGHT that Reveals: Matthew 13:13-15 & Isaiah 6:8-10
Saturday (12/10) — LIGHT in the Dead of Night or on the Darkest Day: Matthew 14:22-27 & Psalm 139:11-12
Author Info
Tabitha Deller
Tabitha is a wife, mom, author, teacher, and speaker. She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve. They have four sons, Joshua, Caleb, Nathan, and Isaac. She loves words — written or spoken and is passionate about God’s Word and the life changing truths found in it. From reading it to living it out in word and deed, her heart’s desire is to challenge others to do the same. She has authored and taught Bible Studies for large groups, small groups, and online groups. Encouraging ladies of all ages and life stages is Tabitha’s passion, and she does that through speaking at conferences, events, and retreats. You can find out more about Tabitha, her Bible studies and Devotional, and her speaking schedule at www.tabithadeller.com.