Whom Do You Reflect?

After witnessing the beauty of last Wednesday's eclipse, I was inspired to write about our own spiritual eclipse.

When our children are young, we teach them about our solar system. We teach that the earth revolves around the sun and the moon revolves around the earth. The sun is a source of light during the day, as is the moon at night. The moon, however, does not shine on its own. Its light is a mere reflection of the sun.

In John 8:12, Jesus said that he is the light of the world. But wait, in Matthew 5:14, we read that we are the light of the world. How can the two be true? God has given us a wonderful example in his creation to teach us this truth. Jesus (the son) is like the sun. He is the true light of the world. We are like the moon. We cannot give light to the world unless Jesus shines on us, unless he is in our lives. It is through the darkness that we must reflect the light of Jesus, lighting the way for those in the world. Matthew 5:16 tells us how we do that. We do not merely sit in our homes, as if under a bowl. Our light shines through the good things we do and through the praise we give to God.

Occasionally, the earth gets in the way of the sun shining on the moon. This causes a lunar eclipse. For a period of time, the moon does not reflect the light of the sun. Instead, it reflects a shadow of the earth.

We can experience an eclipse on a spiritual level. When we allow the world to cast its shadow on us, the light of Jesus is unable to reflect off of us. Be challenged today. Ask God to show you how the world is keeping you from being a positive light. For some, it may be your words and the attitude behind them. In Philippians 2:14-15, Paul tells us not to argue or complain, so that we can become pure and blameless, shining like stars in the universe. Perhaps you are overshadowed by your choice of clothes. Does your appearance draw attention to yourself or to God's glory? Think about the money you spend, the activities you participate in, the media you allow into your home. So many verses flood into my memory on this subject. Be a living sacrifice... we are the Lord's temple...let there not even be a hint of immorality... Here are some more shadows to consider: food, worry, hate, etc. Everyone can think of something that casts a shadow on their reflection. My challenge is to ask God to forgive you, and to remove that shadow from your life. Ask yourself on a regular basis, "Who am I reflecting?" My prayer is that it will always be Jesus.

This lesson is meant for all who read it, including myself. I plan to tuck it away, saving it for my children to hear during the next eclipse. If only God had brought it to me sooner!