Dear Rose Park,
I’m serving as the chaplain this week at Camp Geneva. So far, it’s been a wonderful experience seeing how God is working in the lives of young people. As a brief sidenote, I’m also amazed at the sheer energy of both the campers and particularly the counselors as they sing songs, play games, and share the love of Christ.
The past few mornings, Simon and I would drive out to camp a little before 8:00 a.m. Simon is attending Day Camp, but before I drop off him with his counselor we’d walk down towards Lake Michigan and sit on a bench enjoying the view. Simon and I were amazed at the stillness of the Great Lake. We could almost see the reflection of the sky on it. At one point, Simon, amazed at the vastness of Lake Michigan, even asked, “Dad, where does the lake end?”
It caused me to think about reactions and reflections. In other words: is the way I react to my circumstances a reflection of God’s faithful love? Am I speaking in such a way that reflects God’s kindness and love to others? Am I treating others in such a way that reflects the goodness of God’s love? Am I listening to others in such a way that reflects God’s patient love? Or am I reflecting something completely different? When I get cut off in traffic without a wave of apology, do I react and reflect God’s love? When we endure another season of political-campaign commercials, do we react and reflect God’s love?
Each and every one of us are filled with God’s love; Paul’s opening words to the church in Ephesus remind us of this foundational truth: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Before we were even born, God poured His love into us. As followers of Christ, we are now called to reflect that love to everyone around us. Keep in mind, reflecting the love of Christ has less to do with our emotions and more to do with our faithfulness. I don’t always feel like reflecting His love in my speech or actions, but if I can put my feelings aside temporarily, I can remain faithful to the Kingdom and point others back to Christ with grace and truth.
So, are you reflecting the love of Jesus to your spouse, children, neighbors, colleagues, and even adversaries? When the sun reflects off the lake or even the windshield of a car, may you be reminded that He poured Himself into you before the creation of the world so that you might reflect His love to others.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash