Reflections: Why and how do we reflect?

At a recent event, someone asked me how I came up with the name “Reflections” for the thoughts that find their way to this space. After thinking for a minute, I replied that I hoped to share some of what God’s Word “reflects” back to me as I study and meditate on it, then in turn to reflect God’s Word to others, inspiring them to study for themselves, or starting mutually beneficial conversations about what God is showing us. 

Several scriptures have helped inform these concepts. A key one is 2 Timothy 2:7, where the Apostle Paul tells the young pastor, “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (NKJV). Although some translations use the verb “consider,” others use the verbs “think on” or “reflect” (NIV). All these verbs imply giving serious attention, but “reflect” resonates with me because of the image of a mirror, seeing different angles, allowing the Word to illuminate things I have either neglected to “consider,” or have put off applying because they might upset my comfort zone. 

Another applicable passage is James 1: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (v.22-25). 

James may well have heard this teaching from Jesus himself, who told his followers that hearing his words and putting them into practice gives a firm foundation for living, like building a house on a rock (Matthew 7:24). During Jesus’ time on earth and in the early Church, copies of the Scriptures were not available to the average person, who heard teaching from the Old Testament at the Temple or synagogue and later, the New Testament letters read aloud in the early church communities. We are so fortunate now to have copies readily available! I want to show my appreciation by prioritizing the Word, both Old and New Testaments, and putting it into practice as the Holy Spirit leads. In nations where Christians are restricted or persecuted, one of the top requests from those precious believers is for Bibles. 

So now you know! As I go about my writing, household duties, neighborhood interactions and other daily life, I pray for God’s Word to reflect back to me with blessing and direction, but also that I can somehow reflect his love and his words to be a blessing to others. And I pray that you allow God’s Word to reflect to you and through you, as well!