Reflecting God’s light

I was ambling along the Rail Trail this morning when I saw a tree with one of its multiple trunks brightly lit by sunlight. Not an unusual sight, but what caught my attention was that I could also see the sun behind the tree, where it couldn’t possibly be shining on the side of the trunk that I saw. And yet, a portion the tree’s trunk was brightly lit. The sun’s light was reflecting off another trunk closer to me and back onto the one I was seeing.

As I sketched the tree, I meditated on how, as God’s people, we are to reflect God’s light in our lives and actions so that others may see and experience God’s light and then be drawn to praise him, further reflecting God’s light and glory.

“Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Message translation)

What comes between us and God that blocks his light from shining on us? Or from reflecting from us onto others?

This increases my desire to grow closer to God so nothing comes between him and me. I want my life to shine brightly with his light, reflecting the light of Christ to those who are still in shadow, who haven’t yet experienced the brilliance of his light. Lord, help us all live more and more fully in your light, reflecting your glory to all around us!

You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.
Matthew 5: 16 (The Voice Bible translation)