HOLY REFLECTORS AND REFRACTORS

For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)

 

A lovely antique prism hangs in my window. On bright days it refracts the sun and sends brilliant rainbows dancing around the room.

It is a beautiful reminder of God’s love.

If the crystal were silver, the sun’s beauty would reflect its source, but would not refract with clear brilliancy on everything around it. That is like us, dear ones, when we receive God’s grace.

It’s a marvelous truth that when we give our hearts to Christ Jesus, our eternal home with Him is secure. We worship Him with adoration and praise, reflecting His love back to Him in humble gratefulness.

But wait, there’s more—if God intended for that to be all He desired for us, why wouldn’t He have taken us to Paradise right then and there?

He leaves us on earth to be His body, loving and doing good works. In communion with Him we are strengthened and empowered to let His light pass through us to others, so their eyes can be opened to the life-giving power of His love.

His plan is like an infinite circle of love beginning with Him and returning to Him. As His Word says in 1 John 4:19, We love because He first loved us.

During this process of holy reflection and refraction as our hearts are lit with His love, we shower the light of it on others, helping to complete the circle.

Father, change our hearts from silver to purest crystal so we shine Your love on everyone we meet, pointing them to Your saving grace. 

©2020 Bonnie Mae Evans

THE LION AND THE LIGHT

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (KJV)

 One night I had a lion cub dream. It was small and cuddly—absolutely adorable. As we romped, it gradually grew, muscles rippling playfully under his skin. He seemed innocent and cute; it was inconceivable that as a full grown lion he would weigh several hundred pounds.

With each pounce he got bigger and stronger, his claws and sharp teeth began to hurt and made small stinging wounds. There was nothing fatal at this point, but I began to realize there was great potential for harm. My playful lion cub was getting harder to manage. I kept trying to ease toward the door, but he always caught me before I could escape.

Others came and went back out through the doorway letting in a radiant light each time without offering assistance or even noticing my predicament. I kept watching the bright doorway for someone else—someone I knew could save me.

I awoke from my dream without ever seeing who I was hoping for—my savior from the lion. Pondering the parallel of the cub and how small sin can quickly grow and overtake us, I wanted to return to my slumber and the finale. But, in the dim light of dawn, my heart confidently whispered, you already know.

Indeed I do! Jesus, Savior of the world! Satan may taunt and inflict wounds, but he can never deliver the fatal blow that would separate us from our hope and salvation through Jesus Christ.

 

Thank You, Lord, we wait in faith KNOWING that You have come to our rescue and nothing can separate us from you. Amen.

 ©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans