Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Paul wrote: "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 known." I Corinthians 13:12, NIV

It was one of those "Aha!" moments. I happened to glance up and note my reflection in the window, mirroring my every move as I sat eating my breakfast on a dark, wintery morning. I thought, "What a perfect example of Paul's allegory of "Seeing through a glass darkly" in the 'Love Chapter' of his letter to the Corinthians." (Chapter 13, King James version.)
I knew what lay outside, on the other side of the window, but I could see nothing, because the contrast between my lighted table and the night outside transformed the window glass into a mirror, albeit an imperfect one.
So that's what Paul was talking about! We are unable to see the heavenly kingdom from the light of this life, seeing only an imperfect image of ourselves, because of the contrast of what is, and what is to be.
If I sit long enough, watch and wait long enough, the dawning will come. First, I will start to see a glimmer of red, presaging the advent of the dawn. I will begin to note the outlines of the trees in the woods, ghostly shapes only, backlit by the rising sun.
Soon, the image of the garage will take shape, although just a dark, blank area at first. Soon, I know, my image in the glass will fade, and the scene of God's great kingdom will fill my view in all its radiant splendor.
It was there all along; there was just such a contrast between the two worlds that the larger, more permanent one, was invisible.
By the time I sat down for my noon meal, the once hidden had been made plain. I could readily see the roughness of the bark on the trees, the branches moving slightly in the breeze. Squirrels use it for both a home and a gym, scurrying about, seeking their own lunch. Birds visit the feeders, placed there for the purpose of both providing them with food and us humans with visual enjoyment. Now the mirror effect is reversed; we can watch them, while they can not see us.
There is a vital, everlasting truth here. When we see ourselves only, though as in a glass, darkly, we focus on the image that we do see, not on the image of the world on the other side. Even though we leave the table and the window, in essence, we continue to focus on "our" world, and not God's world.
Sometimes we need reminders of what lies on the "other side." Regular times for meditation, for worship, Bible reading, and contemplation, bring us back for the 'meal' at the 'window,' to reveal God in all of His Glory.
January 7, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Images
* Scripture: Jesus said, “They (scribes and Pharisees) do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best places in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market places. . . Mt. 23:5-7a NIV (Read Matthew. Ch. 23)

Imagine two painting hanging on the wall. Both are still lifes, showing flowers in numerous, vivid colors. Standing at normal viewing distance, little can be discerned to distinguish one from the other. At close range, however, someone who is familiar with the finer techniques of painting would see that the brush strokes, the blending and choice of the colors suggest that one painting was done by a skilled artist.
Now let’s focus our examination on the other painting. At close range, even the most casual observer can see that it has been done by the “paint by numbers” technique. The basic outlines of a design are printed on a board or canvas, with numbers that identify a color from a chart. Sort of like an advanced coloring book where a child fills in between the lines. It may be a fun way for an amateur artist to create a painting, and the design may be quite elaborate, but not something that a skilled artist is apt to do.
Given a preference, I’m sure most of us would prefer to be the skilled master artist, creating an image without restraining lines on a blank canvas, rather than filling in a fixed design all laid out for us. We would like to be able to do that with our lives, as well - freely choosing a personality and lifestyle and living it the way we want to. But paintings are not the only things created by the “paint by numbers” method.
We all model our lifestyles according to the social standards and mores about us. We “fill in the spaces” to create an image of who we are, consistent with behavioral patterns of the society in which we live. This may be a good thing if we are trying to model our life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
Think for a moment of the many ways people try to impress others by creating a worldly social image, especially as a status symbol. We are cudgeled constantly by advertising to develop a certain persona by adopting (and purchasing, of course) clothing, houses, automobiles, and appliances. The food we eat, the businesses we frequent, and our choice of leisure activities are taken as indicators of our worth and social standing. We are wont to emulate the rich and famous, and enjoy the elements of “The Good Life.”
My thought is this - adopting something because it is the “IN” thing is much like selecting colors from a chart and painting them into pre-established lines. Further, it is like being given a design and then forced to paint it according to someone else’s whim. Wearing an ‘Out‘ style, purchasing the ‘wrong’ product, or following the ‘dated’ trend is like getting caught painting outside the lines, or using the wrong color. Comfort, safety, health and moral issues are not necessarily considerations of the “whim” crowd, however.
Now, is religion exempt? By no means! Consider Jesus’ comments concerning the Pharisees. “Blind guides - Hypocrites”, Jesus called them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
Keep in mind Jesus’ words in verse 12: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Model your life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
March 6, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Paul wrote: "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 known." I Corinthians 13:12, NIV

It was one of those "Aha!" moments. I happened to glance up and note my reflection in the window, mirroring my every move as I sat eating my breakfast on a dark, wintery morning. I thought, "What a perfect example of Paul's allegory of "Seeing through a glass darkly" in the 'Love Chapter' of his letter to the Corinthians." (Chapter 13, King James version.)
I knew what lay outside, on the other side of the window, but I could see nothing, because the contrast between my lighted table and the night outside transformed the window glass into a mirror, albeit an imperfect one.
So that's what Paul was talking about! We are unable to see the heavenly kingdom from the light of this life, seeing only an imperfect image of ourselves, because of the contrast of what is, and what is to be.
If I sit long enough, watch and wait long enough, the dawning will come. First, I will start to see a glimmer of red, presaging the advent of the dawn. I will begin to note the outlines of the trees in the woods, ghostly shapes only, backlit by the rising sun.
Soon, the image of the garage will take shape, although just a dark, blank area at first. Soon, I know, my image in the glass will fade, and the scene of God's great kingdom will fill my view in all its radiant splendor.
It was there all along; there was just such a contrast between the two worlds that the larger, more permanent one, was invisible.
By the time I sat down for my noon meal, the once hidden had been made plain. I could readily see the roughness of the bark on the trees, the branches moving slightly in the breeze. Squirrels use it for both a home and a gym, scurrying about, seeking their own lunch. Birds visit the feeders, placed there for the purpose of both providing them with food and us humans with visual enjoyment. Now the mirror effect is reversed; we can watch them, while they can not see us.
There is a vital, everlasting truth here. When we see ourselves only, though as in a glass, darkly, we focus on the image that we do see, not on the image of the world on the other side. Even though we leave the table and the window, in essence, we continue to focus on "our" world, and not God's world.
Sometimes we need reminders of what lies on the "other side." Regular times for meditation, for worship, Bible reading, and contemplation, bring us back for the 'meal' at the 'window,' to reveal God in all of His Glory.
January 7, 2007