Monday May 30, 2022

 

This week we have more things to learn from stained glass windows.

 

In addition to being made of many small pieces of colored glass organized to form decorative images or motifs - in spite of having weathered the sun, rain, wind and cold and still being intact - in addition to being made of materials that are simple and common place - besides passing through fire to be refined - and besides receiving a unique and individual treatment…

 

The stained glass window must be clean, free of dirt and stains, so that the light can pass through freely.

 

And the stained glass window cannot have broken or chipped glass pieces; if it does, the light will pass through distortedly.

 

So how does this apply to my life?

 

1. the stained glass window of my life must always be “clean”, free of the dirt and stains that sin leaves in me – to be clean, I must confess my sins and repent of them on a daily basis

 

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

This way the light of Christ can be reflected freely in my life without impediments or obstacles.

 

2. The stained glass window of my life cannot be “broken” or “chipped”, but must be whole and intact – just as broken cisterns cannot retain water (Jeremiah 2:13b), a stained glass window with broken glass will not permit the image to be displayed without altering and distorting it – to ensure this doesn’t happen, I must get rid of the “broken cisterns” in my life – the persons and things I have chosen to fill the voids in my life – and then I have to return to God, the source of living water so that only He fills me to fullness (Jeremiah 2:13a)

 

In this way, the perfect light of Christ will be reflected through my life faithfully, without being altered or distorted. 

 

Dear friend: how is the stained glass window of your life today? Is it dirty or clean?  Is it broken or whole?  Is there an impediment preventing Christ from shining through you? Is His image distorted as He is seen in you?  Or can He be seen clearly through the integrity of your life?  If you need to remove some stains caused by sin, do it now.  If you need to repair or replace a broken “piece of glass” in your heart, do it now.  Do everything you need to do, so that the perfection of Christ can shine transparently and clearly in and through your life.  

+ REFLECTIONS