Craig Clouston

Genuine Reproductions

As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects a man.
Proverbs 27:19

The three-hundred-foot covered bridge was located on an old railroad bed turned horse trail that traversed the Mohican River Valley in north central Ohio. Glen stood on the bridge, taking pictures of the colorful fall foliage.
He leaned through one of the bridge’s windows and directed the camera toward the water, snapping frame after frame. The scene was breathtaking; all the colors of the surrounding hillsides were mimicked in reflection, not quite as brilliant, yet showing two images: genuine and reproduction. The reflection was marred only by the ripples in the current as the water flowed downstream.
While Glen was drinking in the wild beauty of his surroundings, a bald eagle soared up the river valley toward his location. As the majestic bird glided closer, it suddenly dived toward the surface of the water. Glen snapped frame after frame, hoping to capture the bird’s hunting prowess. In one swift motion, the eagle grabbed a fish in its talons, disappeared under the bridge, and flew from sight.
At home, with photos transferred to the computer, Glen was ecstatic; he’d caught it all! He’d gotten several incredible photos for his portfolio.
As he brought the images up on the monitor, he was fascinated by one photo in particular. It was the frame in which the eagle’s talons sliced into the water after its prey. In the troubled water, the eagle’s reflection was anything but majestic; it appeared distorted and grotesque. Shaking his head in wonder, Glen catalogued it along with the rest.

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As Christians, we are the image bearers of Christ. When people look at us, they should see grace and compassion, love and understanding. Yet, is that what they see in us? Do we, by the life we live, have a Christlike appearance? Or, like the image of the eagle, does the reflection appear distorted and grotesque?
The choices we make are reflected in the way we live. What’s sown into our heart is apparent to the world.
Only by sowing grace and love with the help of the Holy Spirit can we become a genuine reproduction of Christ’s image.

Prayer

“Father, find in me the likeness of Your Son and bring it to the surface so my reflection is pleasing to You and those whose lives I touch. Amen.”