PRISM

The Oxford Dictionary defines a prism as “a glass or other transparent object in prism form, especially one that is triangular with refracting surfaces at an acute angle with each other and that separates white light into a spectrum of colors.”

We could be called God’s prism. His light shines into our lives, illuminates us, and refracts back into the lives of others, bringing an array of color to those around us. But without Jesus, there is no light to refract. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5, ESV). He adds color and light to our lives.

Recently, I heard a speaker share their story and use the analogy that depending on what audience they are speaking to decides the version they tell, either plain glass or stained glass. The latter includes God, while the other does not, highlighting the same moral principles. The plain glass has the same premise as a white peacock; it still spreads out a full array of feathers without a colorful display.

Stained glass is colorful and full of beauty and intricately detailed artwork; it changes how we see the light reflected through it. I hope always to choose stained glass because Jesus is at the heart of it. He is the only reason my story exists. Because of God’s redemptive story, which is the theme of the entire Bible, I would not be here to share my story.

Upon being requested to talk with our group, the speaker admitted that they asked if it was safe to mention God. I am not saying I always get it right; I know I have missed the mark many times by passing by someone I should have shared Jesus with; I pray for courage, strength, and God-confidence to do the things God asks me to do. The speaker gave a remarkable testimony with an inspiring personal and business model. But, as we see how the disciples were treated in the early days after Jesus ascended to heaven, proclaiming Jesus as our Savior isn’t a safe endeavor. Still, we are called to share the Good News of His saving grace (Matt. 28:19-20, ESV).

As I thought about this testimony, I wondered if it could be compared to Paul, who writes that he became all things to all people so he might save some (I Cor. 9:22, ESV). But even when he was in Athens, a city full of idols, he told them about God when he shared with them that the alter of the “unknown god” they were worshipping was God, who sent Christ to die on a cross so they may be saved (Acts 17:23-31, ESV). As an influential person in society, maybe the part they are leaving out of their plain glass story is precisely what the other crowd needs to hear. Hence, their perception of the light will reflect all the colorful details of God’s handiwork in our lives through the lens of Jesus Christ.