Reflect As We Begin Anew

After a year like 2020, many of us are ready to turn the calendar page.

Before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, as my mother used to say, perhaps we should take an honest look at how we spent the past year, reflect, and make any necessary adjustments as we begin anew.

On my first trip to Colonial Williamsburg, I purchased two colonial-period oil lamps. These lamps had reflection plates attached to the back.

Each plate could be slid up and down. The point being, to reflect the flame as it burned and ensure the utmost amount of light was dispersed in the room.

Thinking about my lamps has me thinking about how those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers are to be a reflection of Christ’s love and ensure the utmost amount of light is dispersed wherever we are.

We are to be a light in a dark world. A candle set on a hill, the Bible says. When others see us, they should be able to see Christ living in us by how we act, what we say, where we go, what we value, and what we post on social media.

It should be obvious to anyone looking, whom we belong to. Whom we value. Whom we serve.

So as we reflect on 2020 and prepare for 2021, some questions we might ask ourselves to gauge how we did in reflecting Christ are questions such as what were our priorities? Was God at the top of the list, or did we allow something, or someone, to take first place in our time and devotion? Did we spend more time discussing other matters than we spent discussing or reflecting Christ?

Was extra time spent over the course of the past year in prayer and meditating on God’s word? If so, have we applied what we learned to our lives?

Did we serve others more than we served self? Which won out, fear or faith?

In doing this beginning of the year check-up, if we’re honest, I believe each of us will see an area, maybe even more than one area, where we fell short of the standard set before us. I know I sure did.

But that doesn’t mean we give up. It doesn’t mean  we’re a hopeless cause. It means we repent and recommit.

It’s like my oil lamps.

We keep sliding the reflection plate of our life until it reflects the flame that is Christ.

Today seems like a wonderful point in time to begin anew. What do you think?

I wish you well.

Sandy Kirby Quandt

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a follower of Jesus with a passion for history and travel. Passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She writes articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications. She is a regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, as well as a conference speaker. Sandy has won multiple awards for her writing, including several years in the Young Adult category of the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition. However, her greatest honor came when she received the Right Stuff Award at Space Camp for Educators. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out her blog at https://sandykirbyquandt.com

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