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REFLECTING JESUS
Out with the old. In with the everchanging new.

A Commentary by Constance Vanides

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me
shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

(John 8:12)

Sitting under the dryer at the beauty shop, my attention was drawn to a youngish woman heading for another dryer. Her appearance caught my eye. Her hair was partially set with the usual rollers, but in addition, aluminum strips were twisted into the remaining strands of hair, causing me to exclaim, “You’re sparkling!”

Continuing in thoughts as my hair dried, I recalled the name, “Sparkle Plenty,” a cute long-haired blond girl in a Dick Tracy comic strip from many years ago. She was the daughter of Chester Gould’s colorful characters, B.O. Plenty and Gravel Gertie! Incongruous, yes, but the name stuck. Today we find “Sparkle Plenty” attached to: cleansers, jewelry, fashions, glassware, eyeglass frames, diamond encrusted watches, wines, and horses to list a few, all designed to attract us by some characteristic that “sparkles.”

We live in a world that loves glitter, flamboyancy.

But the world’s “sparkle” cannot compare with the reflected glory we have in Jesus! The Bible says we are “sons of light.” “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:36) “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

We are to sparkle as the light of Christ, reflecting His brilliance. “You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43) “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8) “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14,15).

This “Latest Word” sums it up—from the “sparkle” found in the world, to the true shining reflection Jesus causes us to be.

COME TO THE LIGHT

You may sparkle with
the things of this world,
but I give you a halo of light
beyond all description.
For it is My light
that shines through you
when you surrender your life to Me.
The Light of the world
overcomes all darkness.
Evil cannot dwell in such brightness.
My light exposes that which is hid
and all is revealed to bow before Me.
Receive the Light.
It is for you!

©Constance Vanides
March 24, 2005

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