Reflect and Deflect

Just a quick word to get the week going...


I'm SOAPing through Genesis and reading the account of Joseph's experience in Egypt. In today's passage, I read where he was pulled from the dungeon to interpret Pharaoh's dream.  Notice the exchange...

Pharaoh: "I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."

Joseph: "It is not me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Joseph pulls a move that I have begun to teach my kids. It's the "Reflect and Deflect" move.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we were created to REFLECT His glory or handy-work in our lives.  When we do so with excellence others will notice.  Sometimes it's just the people we're around on a daily basis and sometimes it's people we don't even know.  Sometimes it's a small audience and other times it's a larger audience. Regardless, when people notice something different in us or compliment something we've done, it is then we have the opportunity to DEFLECT the credit back to God.


But that sure is hard.  Most people have a hard time accepting praise. We don't know what to do when someone gives us a compliment. Our tendency is to dismiss it with "It was nothing." or some other comment to divert the attention away from us. Which typically leads to a continuation of the praise. In actuality, what we're saying is "Keep talking because I like what you are saying."


The next time someone praises you, simply say "Thanks, but God __________________ ." (fill in the blank) And then pay attention. You never know when that conversation may be the beginning of a more significant conversation about spiritual matters. Who knows, your ____________________ (same blank from above) may be the tool God uses to draw people to Himself.


How about you? Have you been able to use something in your life to Reflect and Deflect? I'd love for you to share...