…that phrase in the 23rd Psalm resonated in my
soul, sketching mental images of serenity. I recalled a recent photograph taken
on a lake. In moments leading up to the moment that this picture was taken, a
gentle breeze stirred the surface of the water. Although the breeze was
pleasant to experience, its effect was hiding a magnificent image beneath the
rippled motion of the water.
As the evening
sun gently set across the way, a stillness replaced the breeze, and a soft glow
was cast onto the trees. The vibrant colors of fall leaves were enhanced by the
light, and a reflection emerged on the placid lake. As the sun continued to go
down, the colors seemed to deepen, and the images cast onto the lake seemed
almost as vivid and real as the actual objects that were the subject of the
Great Artist’s “watercolor”.
At one point, I
chose to photograph the reflection only, to entertain my curiosity…if I inverted
the reflection, would I be able to distinguish it from a picture of the images
above it? Amazingly, it is the framework of objects that surround the
reflection that gives revelation of its nature. The plants and rocks in the
foreground of the inverted picture are a sure give-away…
When we walk with
God, the light of His love and His Word enhances our lives. We become a
beautiful reflection of the Truth and the Way of Salvation. Jesus said, “I am
the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” Through salvation in Jesus Christ, we
discover who we are, the purpose of life, and we are reconciled to our Creator,
God through Him. God no longer sees our sin, but a reflection of Jesus’
righteousness. When God looks at us, He sees His Son!
Continuing to
walk in the light of God’s Word allows Him to lead us beside still
waters…knowing that even in the storms, we may have the peace that surpasses
all understanding. By His strength, we may rise above and walk on turbulence
created by the winds of change and uncertainty.
And when He says, “Peace, be still,” (Mark 4:39), that we may stand,
reflecting His power and strength through a testimony of deliverance.
I pray that my
identity may be found in Christ Jesus, and that others may see Him in me. My
desire is to allow Him to be the Great Shepherd, leading me beside those
tranquil waters, restoring my soul and leading me along paths of righteousness
for His glory. I love knowing that He is with me, that He has gone before me,
and that He is my Guide. I know that He will comfort me, give me joy and peace,
and anoint me as I walk through the difficult places that will strengthen and
transform my life, as He molds me into His image. “But we all, with open face
beholding as in a glass in the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same
image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” II
Corinthians3:18 (KJV)
Without God, His Word and the Holy Spirit,
the reality of His purpose for my life could have been masked beneath the
rushing and rumbling of a busy schedule, drowned in life’s turbulence, or lost
in the deep waters of despair… overwhelmed by the darkness of sin. It is
amazing to me that He decided to save me, a sinner! What is even more amazing
is that He loves me so much that He calls me His own…and that because I have
accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior, that one day, I will be like Him! “Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as
He is.” I John 3:2 (KJV)
One last humbling
thought…A reflection doesn’t exist outside of the existence of someone or
something. “All things were made by Him (God); and without Him was not any
thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 1:3-4 (KJV). It is in Him that “we
live, and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 (KJV) Friends, we are nothing
without God, and life is meaningless outside of salvation through Jesus Christ.
You can know Him today…
“It is what Jesus is, not what we are.” C. H. Spurgeon
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