Reflecting the Radiance of God's Glory

In one of the earlier posts, (May 24, 2008) I told of a young girl named Anna who, by the age of nine, had learned how to reflect God's glory to all she came in contact with. Anna was continually filled with the light of God's presence because she had learned, like Mary, even at an early age, to "sit at His feet". (Luke 10:38-42) Have you? Although her life ended at nine, it was complete. Now she is in the presence of the One whose glory she reflected.

There was a song written in 1998 by Brenton Brown; Mercy/Vineyard Publishing entitled, "Lord Reign in Me". The second verse says, "Over every thought, over every word, may my life reflect the beauty of my Lord. 'Cause You mean more to me than any earthly thing. So won't You reign in me again". How often do we sing songs like this on a Sunday morning, raising our voices with LOUD praise, yet the rest of the week, those words are only a whisper at best.

As I think about those words, it makes me wonder how are we, as believers, day in and day out, reflecting the beauty of the Lord. How would others describe our appearance? Would they say we are radiant and represent Him well? I'm not talking about our outer beauty, the clothes we wear or the latest hair style. I'm talking about our inner beauty. Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." And in 1 Samuel 16:7 when God chose a new King for Israel because of Saul's disobedience, it says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. (Saul) The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I heard it said some time ago, that we need to be very careful, making sure that there isn't the look of holiness in one place and reigning or prevailing sin in another. As Jesus is looking at our hearts, what does He see?

Here are a few practical questions that we need to ask ourselves:

• Do I, like Mary, who chose what was best, radiate and reflect His glory because I too choose to spend time with Him daily?

Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 2:1-3, 5-6; Jeremiah 15:16; Ephesians 1:15-20; Colossians 1:9-14; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19

• How do I reflect His glory in my home, cleaning, cooking, washing the same laundry for the 900th time and/or in your job at work, especially with that co-worker who drives you nuts, etc? Do I have a servant heart like Jesus?

Psalm 86:1-4, 11-13; Philippians 2:2-7a

• Do I have an attitude of gratitude or a grumbling, complaining heart?

Psalm 19:14; Philippians 2:14-16

• What kind of example am I setting? To my spouse, children, and those around me at work when they hear me complaining? Do they hear or see a life that is filled with praise regardless of my circumstances?

Psalm 51:15,17; Ephesians 4:29-32, Ephesians 5:1, 8,15-16,20; Hebrews 13:15-16;1 Peter 2:11-12

• In my home, how does my complaining attitude affect my kids when I ask them to clean their room, etc? What affect does my complaining have on my co-workers? Does my attitude cause others to stumble? How does that affect my witness?

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24

• How do I react when I'm not chosen, asked to be a part of a group, lead, teach or get that promotion at work, etc?

Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 25:1-2; Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21;
Jeremiah 29:11-12;Philippians 2:13; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 4:16;
1 Peter 5:6-7

• Do my thoughts, actions and desires bring glory to God?

Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 19:5; Philippians 4:8;
Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5.9


In Hebrews 1:3, the writer paints a glorious picture of Jesus, the One who truly reflected God's glory in all He did, in every situation and to all He came in contact with. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He has provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."


JESUS is . . .
R = Radiance of God's glory
E = Exact representation of God
S = Sustainer of all things by His powerful Word
T = The purifier of our sins

Because of what Jesus did, we can fully REST in Him and His promises and KNOW that through Him we too can reflect God's glory and represent Him well to our family, friends and co-workers in our: attitudes, desires, thoughts and actions.

~ ~ ~

"Great and marvelous are Your deeds,
Lord God Almighty,
Just and true are Your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name?
All nations will come and worship before You, for
Your righteous acts have been revealed."
Revelation 15:3-4