THURSDAY
imago Dei: in Joy and Trouble | 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7
Reflect
We give thanks to God
always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of
love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and
our Father; knowing, brethren beloved,
your election of God. For our gospel came not
unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And
ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that
believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thess. 1:2-7 | KJV
Receive
Something in me resists speaking of "polishing the
rough surfaces of our lives into a mirror that clearly reflects God and
Christ." No matter how much I clarify that such "polishing" is
an internal work of God that we embrace and partner with, I'm afraid too many
will only be confirmed in an unhealthy obsessive compulsive pursuit of holiness
that doesn't just smear but smash the reflection. Too many of us spend far too
much time polishing our faces for public appearances at church events and
meetings. Too few of us appreciate that the image of God reflects from our
faces in the most profound and glorious ways when we aren't even trying. It's
often in our most "unpolished" moments - yes, even when we're cranky!
- moments when life and we along with it are falling to pieces and we wonder
how God could possibly be reflected in the pile of shattered pieces that all
too often is our life - at least from what we see. So crucial for us to
remember that being divine image bearers isn't a matter of having or keeping
ourselves or our lives together. In this upside down kingdom of God that Jesus
has ushered into the world, the more cracked, broken, shattered we are, the
clearer the reflection. It's such a key turning point for each of us, when that
"something" happens in us, empowering us to take the trouble with the
joy and the joy with the trouble.
And that is worth just a bit of reflection...
Relate
Who do you know whose life has been shattered - only to have
the coherent and healing reflection of God made clearer through all the broken
pieces? How does this encourage you with regard to the broken pieces of your
own life?
Respond
God, let your face be reflected in mine, your heart in my heart,
your voice in my voice, your touch in every touch of my hand, every movement of
my life - whether feeble and faltering or fearless and faithful. Through
Christ.
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