Glory Reflected: A Life Connected

The glory of God has always marked His presence.

From the earliest pages of Scripture, we see God’s Shekinah glory—the glory that dwells with His people. The Hebrew word shakan literally means to dwell, and that is exactly what God has always desired to do. His glory filled the tabernacle in Moses’ day. It led Israel through the wilderness. It filled Solomon’s Temple. Angels were surrounded by it when they announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. And that same glory guided the Magi—not by an ordinary star, but by divine light—to the home where Jesus lived as a young child.

God’s glory has always been revealed.

God’s glory has always been proclaimed. And now—God’s glory is meant to be reflected.

Glory Reflected: Unveiled Faces, Transformed Lives

In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul paints a powerful picture. Moses once wore a veil to shield the people from the fading glory reflected on his face. But through Christ, that veil has been removed. When we turn to the Lord, we no longer stand at a distance. We look directly at His glory—and something remarkable happens.

We are transformed.

Paul tells us that we are being changed “from glory to glory” as we behold Jesus. Another translation says it this way: “With no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.” That image is striking—mirrors of heaven, reflecting Christ to the world around us.

And here’s the key truth: Glory reflected is a life connected.

Glory Reflected: What Are We Really Seeing?

A mirror only reflects what it truly sees. It doesn’t pick and choose. It doesn’t edit the image. It simply reveals what’s in front of it.

That raises an important question for all of us: What are we looking at?

Do we see the true Jesus—the Jesus revealed in Scripture—or have we subtly edited Him to fit our preferences, opinions, or comfort zones? Jesus is not a concept or an idea. Scripture tells us He is the Word made flesh. He sustains all things by His powerful Word. When we open the Bible, we are not just reading ancient text—we are looking at Jesus Himself.

And that leads to another honest question: When we read God’s Word, do we want a true reflection—or a convenient one?

Glory Reflected: Don’t Forget What You Saw

James gives us another mirror illustration that hits close to home. He says that hearing the Word without doing it is like looking at your face in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you saw. None of us look in the mirror by accident. We look with intention—to fix what needs fixing, to prepare ourselves to be seen.

The Word of God works the same way. James tells us it is able to save our souls—but it requires humility. Humility to receive it fully. Humility to apply it completely.

Humility to stop picking and choosing what we obey.

The word James uses for “looking intently” means to examine with great care, focus, and purpose. It’s not a glance—it’s a decision. When we humbly receive God’s Word and put it into practice, our lives begin to reflect Jesus in visible, tangible ways.

People see Him in our actions.

They experience Him through our character.

They are drawn to Him through our obedience.

Again—glory reflected is a life connected.

You Are the Display

Sometimes we assume God is looking for something better, louder, or more impressive to reflect His glory. But Scripture tells a different story.

You are what God wants to use.

Your life. Your story. Your faithfulness. When a life is connected to Jesus, it becomes a living display of His glory—much like a beautifully wrapped gift on display. The glory of God isn’t hidden away; it’s meant to be seen through transformed people.

And as we approach Christmas, it’s worth asking ourselves one more question: Is Jesus truly the reason for the season in our lives—or has He been pushed to the margins of His own celebration?

Compelled by Love

When we come to the table of communion, we remember why reflection matters. Christ died for all so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him. His love compels us. His sacrifice transforms us. His glory shines through us.

May we be a people who stay connected to Jesus.

May we be mirrors that reflect Him clearly.

And may His glory be seen in our lives—every day.

Glory reflected is a life connected.