BASKING IN REFLECTED GLORY

Without a glory to call their own, people find ways of basking in the reflected glory of others.  Think about the billions of dollars in sales of shirts, hats, banners, flags, and other paraphernalia celebrating favorite college or professional teams to be sold over the course of this year.  I confess.  I bask in the reflected glory of University of Kentucky basketball.  I have a drawer full of UK t-shirts purchased over the years and proudly worn not only on game days, but throughout the year.  Go Cats!

If its not sports, for many people, it’s a favorite musical group, vocalist, band, or organized entertainment.  On a national basis, it’s patriotism basking in the true glory of military sacrifice and achievement.  For grandparents, it’s identifying with the obvious brilliance and good looks of grandchildren.  That’s why we smile with a grin at our grandchildren’s piano recitals, ball games, and graduations.  

Without a doubt, there is something in the human spirit that glories in those things in which we see value and which give us hope, joy, and pride.  In times of difficulty, adversity, and struggle, it is reflected glory that we turn to as a respite and rest.  Basking in the reflected glory of another or others gives us self-definition and a personal identity that glows.  It provides a social context of comradeship and a sense of belonging.  This powerful human impulse to identify and belong has its virtue and benefits, but raises the question, “What is its highest expression, more than sports, more than entertainment, more than patriotism, or paternal pride with one’s progeny?”

I’ve found the answer that makes most sense to me.  Glory to God!  Listen to the words of Jesus in his most intimate time of prayer to the Father just before being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17, selected verses):

“Father, the time has come.  Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you . . . I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. . .”

Then, Jesus prayed for the sanctification of his disciples and even for us today:

“My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message . . . I have given them the glory you gave me . . . I want those you gave me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

For many years, I thought that the ultimate end to which salvation was directed was holiness.  As wonderful as it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that’s not the ultimate end.  Holiness is glorious, but its purpose is spelled out by St. Paul in Ephesians 3:20.  It follows being “filled to the measure of the fullness of God” (v. 19) -

“Now, unto him (the triune God) who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. . . (unto God)  Glory!  In other words, the purpose of the Spirit filled life is unimaginable sanctified service to the glory of God.  

Here’s an amazing  twist.  God desires to bask in the reflected glory of our holy living, holiness lived out daily in profound love for him and love for others.  In truth, the pinnacle of a glorious life is to bask in the glory of God and to reflect his glory to the world and back to him!  What a joy and privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified “to the praise of his glory” and to bask forever in that glory!

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

LIVE A LIFE THAT REFLECTS GOD’S GLORY 
OUT TO THE WORLD AND BACK TO HIM!