REFLECTING FORWARD
Have you taken time to pause, look, listen and observe all that has happened over the past year in your life? Highs and lows. Great experiences and gentle nudges. People and places. What you have embraced and resisted. How have you grown and been shaped this year?
If not, step one is to carve time to reflect and take in, to celebrate and worship, to confess and repent, and listen to your soul.
As Christmas is upon us with all the wonder and majesty of God’s grace coming to us through Jesus bringing hope and possibility into the world (and our lives), I (Eric) wanted to take a moment and share one encouraging word with you as we look back and prepare for next: REFLECT FORWARD.
If you joined us on an Altar retreat this past year, that phrase should sound familiar as we took a deep dive into understanding glory: God’s glory and how we ultimately have the mission to be reflectors of his glory. BUT, there is a danger with glory that can subtly trap us.
THE TRAP
Author Paul David Tripp shares that we are prone to be glory thieves. We are pulled toward glorious things, crave glorious things, and often consume glorious things–art, beauty, amazing food, love, creation to name a few. God made a glorious world and put glory in us (as we are created in his glorious image) and this is good. But when consumption of glory becomes the final stop of our pursuits, we fall short of the one thing we were made for, the one thing that brings joy to us and others, the one thing that actually gives purpose and fulfillment.
– John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
“The light shines…” What an amazing phrase. Jesus would later say, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16).
The only light we have to shine is Jesus himself, who has invaded our world and our lives. The very light of God who gives light to all mankind has entered your life so that you may shine (reflect) in the darkness. Like a full moon on a clear night casting light into the deepest darkness so our lives are to reflect the very life and glory of God.
My friends, taking in the life and light of God, his mercies, grace, words–is good. We need to grow and to be filled so we have something to give (reflect). But if we ONLY receive, we miss the purpose of our existence. We become thieves who take glory, but do not reveal and share it.
As we bask in the glory of Immanuel, God with us, and see his light this Christmas, let us remember that we are reflectors. May the light of God shine in AND through us. Let us live our best life by intentionally reflecting forward in 2026. It will take work. We will find ourselves thieving at times. But to the brave few of you that take this message to heart, oh what a year that is ahead for you. To God be the glory through you.
FOR REFLECTION
- Between now and the new year, pause, look, listen and observe the past year. Name the good, the bad and the ugly. Let the Spirit lead you into a time of prayer, worship, confession, and commitment.
- Where have you seen God’s glory being revealed around you? Make a glory list.
- If I were to more fully reflect God’s glory in my life, I would…
Eric Camfield | December 2025
