Limited Vision
(Lent as vision correction)
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 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. 1 Corinthians 13: 9-12
You’ve seen them, haven’t you? Those mirrors in school or park restrooms not made out of glass, but a (sort of) shiny metal. You can see yourself, enough to know it’s you, but the details are blurry at best. You’d never see one used as a ladies’ makeup mirror!
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. [You may have heard this translated as “glass” instead of mirror, which simply has to do with the vernacular at the time – when a mirror was called a “looking glass”; mirror is accurate. Mirrors at the time this was written were metal.]
The idea is that what we see of ourselves is not an accurate reflection of who we are as God sees us. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter” for it is all about perfect love. Paul goes on to write that there are many imperfections in the world, and we do not see ourselves as God sees us. For that matter, we don’t see others, or the world, or God, as God does.
But, just like combing our hair or adjusting a necktie in one of those ‘metal mirrors’ we do have to focus on the truth that we can see, and rely upon other truths to fill in the gaps. (More on that tomorrow, Lord willing.)
This season of Lent, let us recognize that what we see is not perfect. Let us focus on what we can see that God says is real and true. And let us seek with all we have, the truth that is God.
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Shalom, Pastor Jim
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