Reflect

This morning I was listening to scripture while putting away the dishes and something triggered in my mind. I saw my life like a shell on the beach that the Lord bent down, picked up, and chose to have mercy on.

I felt prompted that I should kneel there in the kitchen and listen. Thoughts played out in my mind of the place and time I was born, the family I was born into, the people who were childhood friends. I reviewed foolish decisions, and accidental events that could have turned out quite differently. I thought of sins pursued, and temptations from which God had protected me. I reflected on significant moments, and simple pleasures, the places and people God led me to, and the many wonders along the journey.

I was very aware of the kindness of God, and thought: there is nothing I can do to repay God for all the good I’ve received, but give thanks.

It was nearly 30 years ago that Donald Whitney spoke at CLC on the spiritual disciplines. I remember him sharing that meditation was America’s most neglected discipline, the lack of which was doing us the most damage in our fast paced culture. We don’t reflect, process, ponder, consider, remember. And that internal musing is key to us living well tomorrow. By the way, I heard that sermon more than ten years before the launch of the i-Phone.

I remember a quote from Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline: “Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil.”

"In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds.  If he can keep us engaged in 'muchness' and 'manyness,' he will rest satisfied.” - Richard Foster

The historical Christian church has seen the wisdom of setting aside times of reflection, most notably Advent and Lent, to consider and reflect. God thought it was a good idea too. He gave man the Sabbath as well as fasts and feast days. And he wasn’t happy when his people neglected them. It is countercultural that we serve a God who says: “Stop!”

He gives us night, we invent lights. He gives us winters, we invent indoor activities. He gives us isolation, we invent the internet. When working for corporate America where I was expected to be on call 24/7, I loved snowstorms. For a short time the world, the pager, the phone, the computer became still. It reminded me of the climax of the book “The Cricket in Times Square,” where a power failure opened a moment in time for the melodic sound of a cricket playing Silent Night to reach the multitude, and caused them to stop, if only for a minute, to listen and consider.

This Easter week is one of those times it is wise to pause. Growing up in the Catholic Faith, we had the tradition of walking through the Stations of the Cross. Although not 100% biblically accurate, I still benefit from walking through outdoor stations - if only to slow me down physically, help me be silent, and consider. There is much there to consider.

I am very much looking forward to our church’s Good Friday service this week. Based on the seven words Christ speaks from the cross, it is designed to be a time of listening, considering, praying, and reflective worship. Whether in person or online, feel free to join us at 7:00 pm EST.

Or find a faith family with whom you can ponder, pray and give thanks for the wonderful work of redemption our Lord and Saviour accomplished. It will serve your soul well this week, and help you be better prepared for next week.