Do You Have a Sparkle?

"...brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Ezekiel 1: 27b-28a

"When you look at me," Molly Mahoney asks, "what do you see? Do you see a sparkle...like something reflective of something bigger that's trying to get out?"

This is one of the best lines in my favorite family movie, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," (2008) and one the most significant questions we can ask ourselves as followers of Christ.

In the movie, Mahoney is the loyal manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, a magical toy store where everything comes to life. Most alive and happy when she's working, Mahoney relishes in Mr. Magorium's child-like faith. Mr. Magorium recognizes her "sparkle" and upon his retirement, transfers ownership of the toy store to Mahoney. But she feels completely inadequate, noting her lack of magic (the sparkle) that makes the Wonder Emporium...well, magical. Mahoney further reasons that she just can't be a kid anymore and therefore, opts to sell the store even if it means her unhappiness and that of all the children.

Isn't that how we act too? I mean here we stand, created in God's image, meant to reflect everything about Him including His glory and yet, we feel so inadequate most of the time. We don't see the sparkle, the reflection of His greatness in us.

God placed a desire in each of us to do something that seems, in any normal circumstance, natural. But, when asked to step out in faith, using that desire or gift for His kingdom, we suddenly retreat. We may even opt to "sell the store" of possibilities to someone else; someone more deserving or more talented because for us, accepting the task would be simply impossible, even childish.

We miss God's reflection in ourselves. We cheat those around us of the same when we sit frozen to our chairs of impossibilities. So, what does it take to get us to see God's "sparkle" in ourselves?

I believe that something, event or moment when time stands still and we say, "Aha!" is different for everyone. But, common to all God followers? Abiding - spending alone time with God through His son, Jesus. We reflect the heart and glory of God himself when we abide in Him and when we recognize God's movement in our lives, our faith grows. We realize that with God nothing is impossible.

Our thankful hearts brim and respond in obedience to God. It's here where we find our true selves - through obedience - what make us, us.

Do you have a sparkle? Do you have that reflection of something bigger that's trying to get out? Will you let it out? Will you spend time with your Creator so that He might shine through you?

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16