what are you reflecting?

Written by Rev. Dan King

Christ-follower. husband. father (bio and adopted). deacon and director of family ministry at st. edward's episcopal church. author of the unlikely missionary: from pew-warmer to poverty-fighter. co-author of activist faith: from him and for him. president of fistbump media, llc.

December 15, 2010

This image stirs up so many thoughts for me… and feelings… and questions

Where do I start?

Maybe with the fact that I get cold just looking at a picture with that much snow in it. There’s no question that it’s wintertime. I live in Florida, and it’s cold here right now. There was actually frost on my windshield this morning, but it doesn’t compare to the coldness that I feel looking at the white snow and dark(ish) sky in this photo.

What about the fact that the tree is in the place of this person’s head? It makes me sad when I see that it’s a lifeless-looking tree.

Or maybe it’s not lifeless, but just dormant… ready to Spring forth with Life after a time of rest and retreat.

But pondering the symbolism of the tree-head of the person in this photo made me really think about what it is that any of us are reflecting. What if each of us were to hold up a mirror in front of our faces?

What would other people see?

Because the funny thing about reflections is that they reflect what they’re looking at.

So would people see your problems? Your pain? The things that you’re battling?

Or would they see the Light?

What are we looking at? What are we reflecting?

This was another wednesday trendsday post.

8 Comments

  1. Tom Jamieson

    awesome perspective dude! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • @bibledude

      i thought that this was an amazing photo, but had no idea that it would raise so many questions for me when i decided to actually use it.

      thanks tom!

      Reply
  2. Markssong.wordpress.com

    So many thoughts, feelings, questions. So many photos. Too much for one with ADD. I’d either be writing about them all for three weeks, or pass. I chose to pass. Kudos to the photographer.
    Black and white on color mode. “Poetree”. It compels me to post my winter photography, but
    that would be too much also. Great reflection Dan. Pray for me, without ADD, so I might reflect the leaves of my tree.

    Reply
    • @bibledude

      i can see how this one would be overwhelming for someone with ADD, but i appreciate what this reflection did for you… even if you chose not to do more with it. i’ll definitely join you in your prayer that you would reflect the leaves…

      Reply
  3. Crystal

    This is one of those pictures/reflections that could cause me to write … and write … and write. There’s so much here – I love your perspective on it!

    Reply
    • @bibledude

      I feel like I barely scratched the surface on this one. I definitely walked away with more questions than answers.

      Reply
  4. Heirloom Soapworks

    What a thought-provoking post….hmmmm….what am I reflecting…I’m sorry to say that it’s often my “to-do” list…dog hair on the floor…laundry….boy, that need to change! Thanks for the heads up 🙂

    Reply
    • @bibledude

      Thanks! And I bet the dog hair and laundry makes for a pretty crazy reflection!

      Reply

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what are you reflecting?

by Rev. Dan King time to read: 1 min
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