Looking through the glass darkly

Recently I’ve been thinking about our vision of what’s to come in the future. Both before and after the return of Christ. Tonight I had the opportunity to discuss this at the meeting. If we read James 1:22-25 we can recognise the importance of examining ourselves and actually acting on what we see. Acting to walk more inline with God’s will. Generally we have an opportunity to examine ourselves (i.e. look into the mirror) each week during communion.

There is an interesting parallel here: The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They would have seen God working miracles in their midst, they would have known God was enacting His plan for them. But did they have a vision to what was to come in the promised land? Finally when they reached the border of the promised land they sent in spies who bought back some samples and told the people that the land was very, very, good. But the people in the land were to much to overcome.

They had to know God was working with them, and they had proof that the land they were to inherit was extremely good. But where was the vision to actually having/possessing that land?

We read in 1 Corinthians 13:10-13 about how our understanding develops*. Currently we have opportunity to reflect on our walk each day, week, month, year, whatever you choose and we have the holy spirit (i.e. the proverbial proof or spies report that the land is there and it is soooo soooo good – also God heals people all the time). But, well, our understanding isn’t yet perfect, it will continue to grow: at the moment we are merely looking through a glass darkly.

But are you looking? Or do you just know the glass is there and are not too concerned with whats coming down the track (on the other side of the glass)?

Just a simple question. And if the answer is yes, you are looking, then good: Pray about seeing more. Pray for others to see. Pray to keep the vision you have.

* When reading verses 12-13 read all three pre-development points, and then go back and read the 3 post-development points.

Semi-related personal footnote to a few people who know what I’m talking about:

I think that recently with the concept of change that a few of us have been pushing the concept of what the future really holds might have become unfocused with more attention going to how we can improve an entity in the current world. Yes things must change, but not at the cost of deciding to fall in the wilderness because of the frustration or because we change the focus from the great liberty and blessing we receive through Christ to something that gets people involved.

I’m not saying don’t change. Nor am I saying we should keep people who don’t like change, happy. Change will happen. If people can’t cope well they can pray about it and God will bless. But we shouldn’t jeopardize ourselves to make it happen; nor should we build an environment that focuses people on the wrong things.