By: Susanna Kozlow
Reflection: "the return of light or sound waves from a surface: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror.Also serious thought or consideration." As I read the definition of the word reflection, I couldn’t help but wonder the true meaning of reflection to me, and to all that follow Jesus.
As we wake up in the morning we see ourselves with our own 2 eyes as we look in the mirror and see our reflection. When we make decisions everyday, we sometimes stop and reflect on those decisions. The good. The bad. Reflection, in an overall way, is good, but as I ponder the thought of what I reflect I began to wonder what is the impact of my reflection in my everyday? Am I reflecting kindness, love, forgiveness? Am I reflecting an urgency to dwell in Gods Kingdom? Am I reflecting grace in my decisions? Am I giving up my own rights to bow down to my King and do I do it with out fighting the process? So many questions as I “reflect” on my actions, but most importantly, the biggest question of all: Do I reflect Jesus in my everyday, with every encounter, every decision and how I live my life? There are days that I wake up and the burdens of responsibilities takes over. Let’s be honest, sometimes I let it. We all do as burdens are heavy for some. On those days I can’t help but be ruled by those demands. At that moment, I take my rights back from the Jesus that I proclaim.
Then there are days that put it all at the feet of Jesus. Knowing He has way better ways than I do. This helps me understand that if I’m not ruled by circumstances I can be ruled by Jesus in my everyday patterns, and ultimately how I reflect Him in my words, thoughts and actions. My reflection is Him.
“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10 I am in the middle of a bible study reading through At the Table with Jesus by Louie Giglio. As the chapter began titled Jesus is Lord of your Life, I read through the above scripture going hand and hand. As I read through and focused on the servant and the master, I began to as how Jesus described His ways as opposed to our own.
We live in a world that tells us that we must handle all that comes our way and do it with strength, our own strength. We admire that in others, so therefore we strive to reflect that in ourselves, but living a life with Jesus tells us differently. We have no strength other than His. So if we are His servant He is our master. That is the true meaning of the Vine versus the branches:
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15: 5-6
Brings me back to my reflection, my thoughts and behaviors. If I am a servant of Jesus, does my reflection reflect “Jesus”?
A question I (we) need to ask from the moment we open our eyes and our feet hit the ground. And the moment as we close our eyes I’m the evening. Friends, we have been given the freedom to reflect the most powerful force that ever walked this earth, and who still rules and reigns today. One who takes our burdens on His own back and gives us His yolk. Why would we choose to not? When we lay our lives down, and see that Jesus is truly Lord and Master, then our focus and mindset just changes. So today I invite you to ask that question; Does my life reflect Jesus? Do my thoughts reflect His thoughts? Do my actions reflect what He would do? Do my decisions stand firm on what will honor Him? If not; have I layed it down to be a servant to my Master. My King Jesus. Lord of my life.
Burdens are heavy, my friends. If we allow it, it can cause distractions to what is most important. Reflecting Jesus with our entire life.
I love this quote from Oswald Chambers:
“ The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you.”
Reflection? Am I reflecting my King Jesus, everyday? Are you?
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