Reflecting
Written By: Chris Mace
Joining nature’s music and rhythms can be soul releasing. Being drawn into flowing streams and rippling brooks, lulled by water gently lapping the lake shore, mesmerized by crashing surf, soothed with soft breezes whispering through pines, or touched by the hermit thrush’s evening song may become profoundly refreshing experiences during which the toxic disordering of our lives fade into the background. Letting go of the stresses, obligations, and indulgences of rushed life styles if only for a few, brief moments helps us to just “be” and to have renewed appreciation, wonder, and gratitude for existence. The beauty and tranquility reflected in the canoe rocking gently in dawn’s early glow calmed my stress-filled. thoughts of the day ahead.
However, intentional self reflection is crucial for discovering meaning and purpose and answering the “Who am I” and “What’s it all about” questions. Those questions are best considered in the presence of scripture which moves us away from self-deception and toward honest self-assessment. Scripture exposes us to us, keeps us intellectually honest, and wonderfully transforms with God’s powerful spiritual healing as we seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13-14). He may be the “still, small voice” encouraging us in the storm swirling about us; or the oasis of love for our dry, fading, thirsting spirit; or the guiding light as we stumble through the deep darkness of trouble and grief. He is our Shepherd, Redeemer, Restorer, and an “ever present help” in trouble. Knowing Him becomes our joy, strength, and eternal hope.
Jesus displayed that kind of daily renewal while living a physically exhausting and emotionally challenging life. Although he dramatically revealed his divine nature on mountain tops and stormy seas and in miraculous events and healings, he struggled through spiritual wildernesses and earthly hardships. By intentionally carving out moments alone with his Father and hearing and reflecting on His words and ways, Jesus was empowered to move forward with purpose and determination and to ultimately emerge victorious over spiritual oppression and human cruelty.
Jesus has promised us that same transformative, overcoming, restorative power. If we personally trust that his grace filled, merciful, loving sacrifice for our sins is necessary and redemptive, our faith restores us to God, whose resurrection powers center, calm, heal, uplift, strengthen, and reorient our souls as we reflect upon and commune with Him. ( John 11:25-26; Matthew 11:28)