The title of this series of blogs is “Reflecting God.” However, there more things to light than just reflecting. I’ve been prompted to follow the science, to learn more about light rays and how they work in this world. I want to know the properties of physics at work in God’s creation.
When light hits an object, it is transmitted, absorbed, and/or reflected. The light on the left is reflected, the light in the middle is absorbed and the light on the right is transmitted. Any object you can see must at least partially reflect light to make it visible to your eyes. Objects can ALSO absorb and/or transmit light.
The above definition and picture are taken from https://maggiesscienceconnection.weebly.com/reflection-absorption–transmission.html
There is a lot going on with light rays, but today we will focus on reflection and diffusion.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6
When a ray of light falls on a polished, smooth, or shiny object (like the plane of a mirror), light from that object bounces back. The reflected light rays reflect off of a smooth plane at an angle equal to that with which they hit the plane.
He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth. 2 Samuel 23:4
We humans are no longer the polished, smooth, and shiny creations that God made us in the beginning. Our souls have been gouged, pockmarked, and scarred. We are irregularly-surfaced beings because of the presence of sin in our world. So, what happens to God’s light when it hits us—is it a true reflection of God?
Because of our irregularity, we are light diffusers. Light diffuses when it bounces off the many angles of a rough surface or when it travels through a substance that changes its angles. Diffused light spreads out, is less concentrated, and is less focused.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18
Diffusers that we are, we still act as light reflectors for those who don’t know His light. And we have the promise of an eternity basking in the light of God, with no more darkness.
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:5
THINKING ABOUT IT
- When we are told to be the light of God’s love to the world, we don’t reflect it at full strength or in the full measure. How, then can we be “the light for the Gentiles”(or unbelievers)?
- For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
- Can we look directly at the sun without blinding ourselves?
- Can anyone of us see God fully and understand and comprehend Him fully? What would happen to us if we did? (See: Exodus 33:21 and 1 Kings 19:9)
- Have you ever been on a cave tour and the guide turns out all the lights? No matter how long you try to adjust your eyes so that you can see, you will not be able to see because there is absolutely no light. What happens when the guides strikes a match? What difference can one tiny bit of light make in the darkness? How does it apply to the way we reflect God’s light, even His diffused light?
- In what way can you commit to reflecting God during this week?
PRAY WITH ME
Heavenly Father, Let Your Kingdom blow in like a hurricane, like a river, like a fire. Let us each be a small match reflecting your light in the darkness of the caves of our lives. Let your light spread like a virus, like a rumor, like a war. Like the raising of a curtain, like the roll of a drum, like the blaze of a warming bonfire, let it come to us: let your kingdom come. Lord, help us to reflect you. Amen.
Kathleen S Evenhouse 