In this fast moving world, one hardly has time to think straight. It’s no wonder so many people’s lives resemble an old pinball machine; bouncing from one problem to another, never stopping long enough to get help or find out how to change the course they’re on.
The only time they stop is when they slip past the flippers or the machine gets tilted.
By then it’s game over, better luck next time; only there’s never a next time.
We only get to do this thing called life once. Just once.
That’s why we need to learn to slow down and make time for honest reflection. Time to ask ourselves the questions that really matter.
Questions like:
1. Where’s my life headed?
2. Is there life after death?
3. Am I prepared to die?
4. Why am I here in the first place?
5. Why do I keep doing things that bring destruction?
Time for reflection.
Time to look into the mirror and see ourselves the way others see us.
And possibly, the way God sees us.
Have you ever gotten up early, driven to a lake, and walked along the bank while looking into the calm, glass-like water? If you look close enough, and at the right angle, you’ll see your own reflection.
Interesting thing about a reflection; it never lies. It shows you the way you really are, not the way you think you are or the way people say you are.
You and I may not like the reflection, but that’s just how things are. Want to change the image? The reflection shows what needs to be worked on.
A lot of people never take time to reflect because they know what they’ll see and they don’t want to face it. I’ve been there before.
I hated what I had become.
But God, like the Good Shepherd He is, led me beside the still waters. He led me to the place of reflection. The place of seeing myself the way others see me; the way God saw me.
And I hated what I saw.
But it was the first step toward restoration. For at the place of still waters, the place of reflection, is where He restored my soul.
Like the Psalmist said, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2-3 ESV); my soul began to be restored at the place of reflection.
Beside the still waters.
Now, when I pull aside from my busyness, from bouncing from one problem to the next, and take time to reflect, my strength is renewed and my vision and hope restored.
I can run and not be weary, and walk without fainting. All because of the rest and reflection beside the still waters.
How about you? Can you stop long enough, and often enough, to reflect on your life? Ask yourself questions and listen to your answers? Have a conversation with the Lord and allow Him to really direct your steps?
Life won’t allow you the time reflect; you must make the time. If not, something’s going to break and then you’ll have plenty of time but it may be too late.
Think about it and remember this passage from Isaiah: “…they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 ESV).
Jan Grace 