Reflected Light

I’m heading into the office shortly to see my boss face to face. It was hard, but important to find time for this meeting, which is why I’m missing my post-natal keep fit class in the park this morning. On Wednesday James drove all the way to Halifax and back in an attempt to meet with his old boss and his new boss face to face – which failed, by the way. And at the moment my 10 month old son can be entertained for hours on end by the simple game of peekaboo.

Meeting face to face, rather than by email, text, phone or even Skype is such an important thing. You can really get to know someone. Body language; the slightest glint in the eye; the subtle understanding brought about by what a person is wearing or how they cope in different locations – it all adds up to a bigger, clearer picture.

Paul writes that our current view of God is just a dim reflection of what we eventually will see. We only know in part, but one day we will know in full. And I long for that day. Sure, there are glimpses of glory now, but there are also a whole load of chips and smears on the glass I’m looking through.

Sat here in my room I can see the sunlight falling on the wardrobe and it dances as the wind blows the trees, creating a beautiful, blurry pattern. But when I turn to the window I can see the true glory of my neighbour’s enormous oak tree as the sun shines through its winter branches.

And the same will be true when we eventually see Jesus face to face. What we thought was a beautiful pattern will be distinct – full of colour, energy and life.

In this blog I want to explore the reflected image of God in our world, while not shying away from the chips, smears and shadows.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
1 Corinthians 13:12