Have you read the story of the bluebell in the verses on this page? [Verses referred to not available on the CD-ROM] And do you clearly see the lesson that is hidden in them? This is, of course, only a fable; yet it is true that the bluebell, now beginning to spread its sweet blue carpet in the woods, and make them look like a reflection of the blue heavens spangled with tiny, twinkling stars,—this little flower, like every other, is a mirror, and all its beauty is only reflected glory.

Do not the flowers, then, have any beauty of their own? and where does all this reflected glory come from? you will perhaps wonder. All the beauty of the earth is the reflection of Him who made it, of Jesus Christ, the Creator.

You may know that all the colours of the flowers, or of anything else, is the reflection of light. We cannot see the beautiful colours hidden in the light, until the objects upon which it shines reflect them to us, and reveal the hidden loveliness.

This work the flowers do: as the sun shines upon them and clothes them with beautiful garments of light, they show forth the praises of the light by reflecting the lovely colours hidden in its rays.

But remember now and always,—think of it every time you see the bright sunshine, or its reflection in the loveliness with which it clothes the earth,—what this light is and where it comes from. It is “the glory of God” shining from “the face of Jesus Christ” who is “the Light of the world.” So the glory and beauty of all His works really shows us something of the beauty of His face.

Jesus is the great central Light that lights up the sun, moon and stars. These, like His other works, are only mirrors, which declare His glory by reflecting it. They let their light so shine, bringing life and blessing in their beams, that we may be led to glorify the great Source of light for whose streams of blessing they are the channels.

In a certain cathedral there is a dome covered with beautiful paintings, the work of a celebrated artist. All who visit the cathedral are anxious to get a good view of these pictures, but the height and shape of the dome make this almost impossible.

This difficulty has been overcome by fixing on the ground beneath the dome, a mirror which perfectly reflects all parts of it. Thus all who wish to do so are able to make a thorough examination without any trouble.

Do you remember what God said to Moses in answer to his petition, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory”? “Thou canst not see My face; for there shall no man see Me and live.” He is so great and so high, we so sinful and so low, that we cannot look up and see His face; and if we could do so, we could not endure the sight of His great glory.

But “though the eye of sinful man His glory may not see” in all its fulness, yet He has come down to our low estate, and made it possible for us to see Him. He has made a mirror, wherein we may “behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” and by beholding be so changed into His image and purified, that at last we may be able really to “see His face,” as He has promised.

In his “Hymn of Heavenly Beauty” which some day you may read for yourself, the post Spenser, speaking of this mirror, says:

“The means, therefore, which unto us is lent
Him to behold, is on His works to look,
Which He hath made in beauty excellent.”

His works show us not only His beauty, but also His love, His wisdom, and His might.

“These unto all He daily does display,
And show Himself in the image of His grace,
As in a looking glass, through which He may
Be seen of all His creatures, vile and base,
That were unable else to see His face.
His glorious face, that glistereth else so bright,
That th’ angels selves cannot endure the sight.”

So you see that the bluebell is a tiny mirror, though not of the blue sky and the bright stars, but of Him who made and shines in them. In each little blossom we may see something of His beauty, wisdom, love, and power.

Will you not thank God that He has placed right at your feet, and all around you wherever you look, the mirror in which you may see Him so easily if you will? And not only so, but remember that you are yourself one of His works, created like all the rest to declare His glory by reflecting His image.

Behold Him in the looking glass He has given you, learn of Him as His grace and truth were fully revealed in the life of Jesus Christ on earth, and as they are reflected in the lives of all who love Him. Let your heart be turned ever to Him as the flower to the sun, and let the light of His Holy Word shine into it.

Then the bright shining of His glory upon you will clothe you with His beauty, and imprint His image upon you, which will mark you as His own child. Then “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

“Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.”

The Present Truth – April 19, 1900
E. J. Waggoner

Story in pdf A Looking Glass