God's Mirror Ball

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27

“¹¹ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:11-12

Mankind was created (male and female together) as an image of God’s glory. We were chosen for that purpose! But what does it mean to be the “image” of God? Are we a copy of the divine, a source of light in and of ourselves? Or are we a mirror, casting an impression of God’s goodness into the world around us? Which are we? Or are we not quite either one?

• Reflection – the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
• Copy - a thing made to be similar or identical to another.

God created us to be “one” with Him - not to BE Him. Consider the difference between a recording of your image (in a photograph or video), and a reflection. The copy (or recording) captures only a single moment of who you are. It is completely disconnected from your CURRENT reality. A reflection, on the other hand, reveals who you are and what you are doing RIGHT NOW. It cannot be separated from your current reality, or it ceases to reflect and becomes only an incomplete facsimile. Just as my reflection cannot be separated from me . . . as God’s image, we cannot be separated from Him!

Our lives should become reflections of:

• God’s character – Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 John 4:19
• God’s power – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
• God’s mission – Matthew 28:18-20
• God’s ministry – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Imagine a mirror ball in a dance hall or roller rink: the light shines on the many mirrored facets and illuminates it, but also bounces off the ball to illuminate other spaces. At first, you might think the mirror is the origin of light, but you soon realize it is a reflection . . . and you turn your attention to the true source.  Each of us is a facet of that mirror ball.

We are called as a PEOPLE (not just a person) to reveal God’s nature, character, personality, etc. in our own lives . . . He is a creator, so we are creative . . . He is love, so we love others . . . He is kind, so we show kindness to others . . . Our lives carry the light of Christ into every corner of our world!

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16