Reflecting on reflecting
Jul 28, 2011
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
From him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;
I shall never be moved. -Psalm 62:1-2
I've been reflecting recently. There's been a lot to reflect on. I just hit my 20th anniversary of ordination. Wow, it went fast. My youngest son is about to go to college. Thank goodness my youngest daughter likes to throw the football. She just became a teenager. Oh, boy! Our "new" house has a hole in it, the restult of damage from years of leaks. These days I reflect a lot in Home Depot. And then there's that whole midlife thing...
Unfortunately, so many people don't make the time to reflect. We are so busy we miss those moments to slow down and do the deep and careful thought around issues or circumstances that are important to us. We live in a time-sick world and too often we simply react to situations and events rather than thoughtfully engaging them.
Reflection is crucial for life in the church. Reflecting on one's purpose, both as individuals and as a faith community. Seeking a better understanding our stories and traditions and our changing world. Seeing our neighbors and how ministry might intersect their lives. Developing a sense of missional identity, seeing one's life as sent out into the world for God's work of love and reconciliation. There's a lot to reflect on!
The word "reflect" literally means "bend back." How do we bend back to our baptism and to the amazing grace we were bathed in? How do we bend back to the core of who we are, what we were created to become? How might we participate in holy listening? These are important things to think about, don't you agree?
The summer has always been a good time for me to reflect. Things slow down, if only a little, and usually there is a vacation here or there with quiet spaces to think. Someone once told me to spend at least seven minutes in silent reflection a day. Life is too important.
What would reflection time look for you? Give it a try! I bet you have some important things to think about.