Reflected Glory

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:26-31

Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.” Genesis 1:26

And we . . . are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV

YOU’VE SEEN A full moon before, right? Of course you have. A full moon can make the landscape shine almost like daytime. As you walk around you can see great distances, and you can see trees and sidewalks and flowers—all in the middle of the night by moonlight!

But did you know that, in a way, there is no such thing as moonlight?

That’s right! Because moonlight doesn’t come from the moon-it comes from the sun! The light we see on a moonlit night is actually sunlight that bounces off the moon and shines down onto the earth. Because the earth and moon both revolve around the sun, sometimes we see a full moon, sometimes we see a crescent moon, and sometimes we see no moon at all, when it’s a “new moon” so close to the sun that it’s invisible.

In a way, we’re like the moon. Just as the moon has no light of its own, the Bible says that we have no righteousness of our own. Not one of us is good; we’re all sinners. (See Psalm 14:1-3; Mark 10:18; Romans 3:23.)

Just as the moon can only “shine” by reflecting the light of the sun, the only way that we can do good and be good is by reflecting the goodness of God. We are not good, and no matter how hard we try, we can’t do good (Romans 7:18-19). But God is good, and when we let his Holy Spirit live in us and control us, he can help us make right choices and reflect his goodness.

When we do good with God’s help, we’re reflecting the image of God just as the moon reflects the light of the sun.

REFLECT: What do you think “being created in God’s image” means? Do you think it means we look like God? Do you think it means we can choose between right and wrong? Do you think it means something else? If so, what? How have you reflected God’s image this week? yesterday? today? How can you reflect his goodness today and tomorrow?

ACT: Spend a few moments outside after dark tonight. Locate the moon in the night sky, and ask God to help you reflect his image as the moon reflects the light of the sun.

PRAY: “Father God, thank you for creating me in your image. Help me reflect your goodness today when_____________.”