by Rev Douglas Brauner

The beauty of reflecting Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“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.” 
2 Corinthians 3:18 New Living Translation

Like many photographers, I’m captivated by reflections. You might be too.

What is it about reflections that mesmerize us? Is it because they are not perfect representations of the images they reflect? Is it the shifting, changing, nature of reflections? Do reflections grab our attention because they point to something greater than the reflections themselves?

The answer is probably yes to these questions.

Paul reminds us that we reflect God’s glory.

People see Jesus in us, and hopefully when people see Jesus in us we point them to that Someone who is greater than we are. Though it is important for us to reflect Jesus as individuals, it is even more important that people see Jesus in our fellowship with each other. Our reflection is more powerful when, like the trees in the picture, people see Jesus in the community of the baptized.

Paul reminds us that, like reflections, God is in the process of changing us. None of us are finished projects. However, unlike reflections, we are being changed into something. We are being changed to be more like Christ.

Though we reflect the glory of God, we are not perfect reflections of his glory. We are still flawed humans, and given our best efforts we still fall short of reflecting the true nature of God in Christ. In fact, most of the time we fall short of reflecting who God is. Yet, we’re covered by his grace. It is the mercy of God that works through us. God’s mercy is the best reflection of His glory.

May we never lose sight of the captivating power of reflecting Christ.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado