Reflection

2 Corinthians 3:18 ~ (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

On our trip to Montana last month, Chuck and I found a beautiful lake that had a mountain range as its backdrop.  What made the lake so beautiful was on a clear day, with no movement on the water the lake reflected a perfect mirror image of the mountains and the sky.  It was breathtaking to experience that beautiful exhibit of God’s creation.  I came across this verse the other day and in the NASB version it says, “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory”.  I have heard that phrase “from glory to glory” numerous times, but I wasn’t sure what it meant.  I took some time to study the verse, and it revealed something even more breathtaking than that lake in Montana.

My journey through this verse led me first to Exodus 34:29-35 when Moses came down the mountain from meeting with God and his face shown so brightly that it caused fear in the other Israelites.  He had to cover his face after his encounters with God so it would not scare other people.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, we begin a relationship with our God that begins to change us from the inside out.  Eventually we begin to allow His Spirit to shine through us.  We begin to reflect the Holy Spirit in ways that other people notice.  The more we spend in His word, worship and prayer the more of the Holy Spirit reflects through us.  It’s hard to comprehend that there are times when people look at us that they see our Lord and Savior looking back at them.  We become unveiled faces, mirrors, or a perfect reflection on a clear mountain lake.

The process of becoming a perfect reflection of Christ is wearisome at times.  Life gets in the way or more likely than not, we get in the way. Our sin, selfishness, stubbornness keeps us from the conduit that allows that reflection to shine through.  Just this morning God woke me up at 5:30 and said, “Get up, we need to spend some time together.”  My response, “Can’t we just talk right here in bed?”  Of course, His answer was no, because He wanted to show me something beautiful in His word, that He could use to do some more transforming in my life.  Sometimes I view my alone time with God almost like it’s a chore I must do, instead of a privilege that I am allowed to do.  God isn’t asking us for time with Him just to check off on some list, He has a purpose for that time.  That purpose is so we can become a reflection of His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  The beauty that we are able to pour out on other people is what draws others to Him.

I also did a Google search that revealed something profound about this verse.  According to Google, “Becoming what you behold: The Greek word for “changed” is metamorphoo (the root of metamorphosis), meaning you take on the likeness of what you fix your eyes upon”.  If we want to reflect Christ to the world, we must fix our eyes on Him. Not just a sideways glace while we are distracted by something else.  “The word gaze means to look steadily and intently at someone or something for a long time, usually filled with admiration, wonder, curiosity, affection, or deep thought.” Again, thank you Google.

I want to be that perfect mirror image of Christ to everyone around me.  I can only do that when I surrender to His call to spend time in His word, worship and prayer.  I pray that my gaze is always upon Him as I am changed from glory to glory!