Shining Through the Prism of the True Light
According to Britannica Kids, the simplest explanation of a prism is:
... a piece of glass or other see-through material that has several flat sides called faces. Prisms can be made in many forms and shapes. Light travels in the form of waves. Some light waves have long wavelengths while others have short wavelengths. Each wavelength produces a different color of light. Usually, all the wavelengths of light blend together to form light, but when light enters a prism, it bends. Light waves of different wavelengths bend by different amounts. The longest wavelengths bend the least. The shortest wavelengths bend the most. This bending separates the light waves so each color can be seen. This band of colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet - is called a spectrum.
Jesus has called us to be the Light of the World.
Light not only brings out the beauty in the rest of creation, it exposes the rest of creation to the true light ... Jesus himself!
As disciples of the True Light, we each shine on different wavelengths, with different gifts and abilities. And those who are exposed to our shining will receive that light as uniquely as we deliver it.
So when we as believers shine our lights, we blend together so that those who so desperately need light exposure will have the opportunity - no matter where they are on the spectrum - to see the Light!
“You are the light of the world. ... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV).
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12, NIV).
Masterpieces NOT of Stone
Michelangelo's famed sculpture of Moses was created in the early 1500s. It is, like all of Michelangelo's works of art, considered a masterpiece. Unique to this particular masterpiece is the depiction of a small muscle in the forearm that contracts when lifting the pinky finger — the Extensor Digiti Minimi. This particular muscle is usually invisible, unless and until it is contracted to raise this small finger, as indeed Moses' sculpted form is doing. Such attention to detail serves the purpose of making this work of art appear perfect in its representation of the human form.
Art historians and critics the world over marvel at the “master’s” knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, giving praise and glorious laud to his skill, his artistry, and the perfection of his craft.
Yet Michelangelo, as skilled and gifted as he was, was merely copying the design of the True Artist, the Creator God, who Himself formed and fashioned the very muscle structure the sculptor was emulating. So, when all is said and done, Michelangelo’s creation was still and all just a piece of stone. Lifelike, yes — but mere stone, designed to bring honor and glory to its creator, the artist.
While Michelangelo crafted masterpieces from stone, the Lord crafts masterpieces of flesh and bone, of heart and soul. WE are his workmanship, His masterpieces, created to bring HIM glory!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).
Thank Your Waitress ...
The waitress at the cafe serves you the meal she did not purchase or prepare. The cafe owner purchases the food and the cook labors over every detail of the preparation. Yet, they remain hidden, unknown and unseen. The waitress takes orders and places the food on the table and is the one who hears the words, "Thank you!"
In much the same way, pastors take prayer requests and serve you the Good News of Christ. It is appropriate to give them an occasional "thank you," but be sure to give the ultimate credit and glory to God for all that you receive in life, the tangible and the intangible, the physical and the spiritual.
"But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)