I am taking a few days off for reflection which includes rest, study, reading, writing, and a bit of fellowship. What I am trying to avoid are deadlines and meetings - especially those of the administrative flavor.
I spoke to a group Saturday night from II Timothy 2 on being strong in grace which seemed a bit oxymoronic on the surface.
The verse that spoke most to me as I spoke was v.7 :
"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." (NIV)
It has been cause for pause.
The promise is wonderful, but it is also conditional. It is if Paul is saying, "Take this as a surface statement and you will only get superficial results. Let it sink in and transform you and you will get insight." (Tom's Paraphrase)
Most of us are content with a little bit of insight as long as we can have a lot of pragmatic information. We get jittery about something that reveals as much about ourselves as it does about an impersonal theology.
We miss things like the promise of II Corinthians 3:18;
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (NIV)
We are unaware of how shallow our ideas can be as revealed in I Corinthians 13:12:
" Now we see but a poor 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 know" (NIV)
The power of reflection is the power to dig beneath the surface of truth and let it work on our souls.
When we do so, the possibilities for personal growth and excellence are limitless. I am looking for a little bit of that this week.
By the way, I think I really am back now - off to a slow start, but back.
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