---Reflection--- Reflection can mean two separate things. Its either looking backward, at where youve been before, which can serve a purpose, or it can be staring your current situation in the face (as in a mirror). Both have meaning and can be valuable, and though its 5:45 a.m., Im going to attempt to share what I feel the valuation of both are: The past. Without it, there would be no present, no future, no lessons to be learned, no foundation laid for what are lives can and should be. Looking back and seeing where you, or others, have come from, isnt a bad thing. Alright, it isnt always a bad thing. If God felt the past held no relevance, the vast majority of the Bible would be rendered useless and probably wouldve never been written. The problem with the past, is that it is something our adversary has complete and full access to, and potentially one of the biggest tools in his arsenal. He will use it to keep you from focusing on the present, and to cause you to fear the future. This is a situation where wisdom must be sought out, prayed for, and used to the extent God desires, to allow us to respect where weve come from, without being tied down by it. The greatest thing about grace is that it gives us an unfiltered look into our past, without making us feel shame, guilt, or negligence. Perhaps this is why some would argue that grace is one of Gods greatest gifts... The present. Without it, there would be no past, and though for some the present only seems to exist momentarily, because we are either continuously looking toward the future, whether in a positive way, or with fear, doubt, and worry, or we are stuck in the past. A song from my childhood stated that Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin, into the future... This is true, but gives a somewhat negative light and creates the illusion that no one has control over where they are going and what they are doing. This also is one of our enemies tools of the trade, because when we slip...(see what I did there), and stumble, this mindset causes us to think well, I just had no control over it... So when the spouse is caught cheating on their significant other, or the drug test reveals your extra-curricular activities, or the court convicts you of the unthinkable, we simply shrug it off, and say I couldnt help it. This statement I believe can be true, but can also be simply an excuse. I think to look at it objectively, perhaps we cant help it...perhaps Eve couldnt help biting that apple, or David couldnt help undressing Bethsheba with his eyes, so I will point you again, to grace. Grace is help when we cant help ourselves. Its a beacon of truth when we feel night has closed in around us, and we cant find our way. The reflection we see in the mirror every day, and by that I mean staring down our current state of affairs, doesnt have to be a negative thing. Accepting the fact that in the present, sometimes we cant help ourselves, but that God always can, creates the mentality of perseverance needed to survive the obstacles that life always wants to throw at us. I believe a healthy dose of reflecting on your past, and staring at your reflection, lends you to being more prepared for what lies ahead. If we believe in the plan that Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of, then we shouldnt ever be able to paint the future darkly...regardless of what our past or present reflection says.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:03:55 +0000
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