Sitting here in Harry’s Bar I can see the sun reflecting white off the bleached plaster walls of the local shops in this vibrant community. Not quite large enough to justify the “village” label, Canford Cliffs nevertheless offers a welcome into a community experience. A welcome beyond what would be immediately apparent from a quick drive through what appears to be a simple parade of shops, banks and a library. Even the hairdresser next to the Post Office sports a commissionaire, welcoming passers-by and clients entering the select establishment. Oh, they’ve just turned up the music – you’ve guessed it, “How Wonderful You Are” by Gordon Haskell, with the line, “Listen to the jazz in Harry’s bar.”

But I digress. This mid-afternoon reverie inspires thoughts of the partnership of sunlight and walls that produces such a blaze of pure reflection. But where the wall is stained red from a rusty gutter, the white light isn’t fully reflected, as the colours except rust-red are absorbed into the surface. All the colours making up white are there in the pure sunlight, but they are only reflected where the wall is free of stains and blotches which absorb some of the hues.

So it seems that in our own lives, we can reflect the Lord’s glory – represent his character, his essence, his presence – to the degree that we too are free from stains and blotches. One example is forgiveness. God showers us with his free pardon, releasing us completely from the dreadful hold that guilt can have over our past and our future. But if there is a rusty-red stain where that forgiveness falls on us, much of it is absorbed, never to be seen or experienced by others around us. Or take love. Let’s say love is blue (cue for another song) but where it falls abundantly on us from Father there is a big patch of green envy. That true-blue love will disappear and only a twisted version will reach those around.

So what is the answer? How can we reflect the Lord’s glory where we are? Perhaps those bleached plaster walls across the road hold the key. Those walls that face into the sun and bear the heat of the day have become whiter over the passing years, contrasting the dull greys hidden in the shade. The sun’s energy absorbed into the dark patches has transformed the pigment, making it lighter, cleaner. So too, as we turn to deliberately face the glory of God, gazing into His purity and soaking in the divine presence, are we transformed and become faithful witnesses, worthy representatives of his goodness, holiness and purity. As we see more of God, others will see more of him in us.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18)

The music in Harry’s Bar has come to an end, and it’s time to leave. But the image of the pure-white wall faithfully reflecting the heavenly light across a vibrant Canford Cliffs village will remain for a while yet.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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