April 23, 2018

Weekly Reflection – Into the Mirror Dimly

The Bible tells we are looking into the mirror dimly.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to
face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 
(I Corinthians 13:12)
 

This verse from the “love chapter” of I Corinthians is familiar to all students of the Bible. If Paul was writing today, he might use the analogy of a lens.  “For now, we see out of focus as in a poorly prescribed pair of glasses or an unfocused magnifying glass.”  And of course, “…but then I shall know fully when my lens is focused properly.”  Those are just personal changes, but they illustrate my point in this week’s Reflection.

Each of us is living our life concerning a lens through which we see the world.  Or we might think of seeing the world through a pair of binoculars that has not been adjusted for the one viewing through them. Usually, this lens or sent of binoculars is that of our birth family.  We see things as we were taught to see them.  If we come from a particular religious orientation, then that is the lens through which we will probably see the world (and God). Likewise with politics, morality, etc. Perhaps our “field of vision” is constrained by an out of focus lens.  We can only see things as they are in our particular geographic area or from our particular ethnicity.  Or we are so focused on the broader horizon that it is impossible to correctly see the specific world that lies at our feet.

What lens do you see the world through?  Do you still see the world through a child’s eyes or that of an adult?  Do you see the spiritual world more in terms of rules more than love?  Is there a proper balance in how you view these aspects of our spiritual life?  Have you allowed love to become the lens through which you interpret all that you come in contact with?  Are you so focused on the generic world of “love” that “rules” have been pushed out of your field of vision?  Has your lens changed over time?  Is there still room to improve your focus?  These are straightforward questions, but they are critical to each of our becoming mature spiritually.  In order to obtain the proper attention, we must allow the Spirit to give us a proper balance between the various extremes we may be challenged by.

Think about this and seek to see the world through the most focused lens possible, the lens of the Scriptures and the Spirit.  Then act on what you see!

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

Read more reflections, Suffering and Faith