Skip the hot sauce? Now where would be the fun in that?”
–John Deacon (Final Justice)
“So I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy apart from him?”
–Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (TLB)
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“Well a man can’t spend his life in reflection,
Just thinkin’ about the way things used to be…”
–Chris LeDoux
I read recently that there are three methods by which we can learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Now, I am speaking of reflection, not regrets. Many people sit in their rocker and look back at only the hard times, and the things that they regretted doing or not doing. That is not reflection!
True reflection builds. One learns by reflecting on past experiences, which as stated may be bitter. We come to terms with those events in our life by reflecting on them, learning from them, and then going forward. If reflection makes us bitter or stagnant then it is not true reflection. See, reflection also brings us to those events and experiences upon which we should be grateful. By purposely reflecting we can also see the hand of God working out all things for His glory, and turning the bad into good.
I recall the words of Paul, “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28, NKJV) I like the way one version translates this verse, “This is why a man should look into his own heart and life…” (NLV) This is in regard to the Lord’s Supper. We are to reflect on our lives, especially the recent events and make sure that we are right with the Lord.
There are times in our lives when we have to make “life decisions.” Decisions that we know will affect our life for the near and/or far-reaching future. For example, should I stay in the military or get out? I prayed, and thought about that long and hard. Or how about a move across the country? How does one come to a decision? They must reflect upon their experiences, what they believe that God wants them to do, think on why the move…all of these are part of what a person must reflect upon.
In the morning I like to sit in my chair, look out the window, and drink my coffee while I do my devotion and reading. Sometimes I just do it, but there are many times when I actually meditate and contemplate what I’m reading and writing–call it reflection. Often, in fact, quite often, as I am contemplating in the morning I reflect on how good God is. Why He has done so much for me, kept me from harm, guided my footsteps. In reflection I come up with the answer–God is simply good. Then I think, have I done enough for God, because He has done good to me? No, never could do enough, but then, He doesn’t expect me to. A smile might appear on my face–my what a good heavenly Father I have. Sometimes I just reflect on the character of God, how it is shown in my morning reading. Other times my reflection involves thoughts I want to write here in the “Echo.”
Once in a while, during my reading, I come upon a verse(s) that all of a sudden it seems that they jump out and really speak to me. There is a supernatural reflection, like a mirror, from the Son upon the Word and into my soul. And speaking of a mirror, the Bible is a mirror that reflects our heart condition.
So as I sit here today, and tomorrow, and Sunday reflecting on the past seventy-five years–WOW, what a ride, what a time it has been. And now in my life I’m taking a new direction. This season of life is new to me, so I reflect on the past, looking into my experiences and knowledge to try to live these last years the best I can. Yes, a different time, but maybe not a new direction as far as my final destination. I find myself reflecting more and more on Scripture and songs about my heavenly abode. I don’t find myself wishing for the past, and I don’t live in regret twiddling my thumbs on the mistakes that I’ve made. I “can’t ride the bronco anymore” (LeDoux) but I’m still on my way to heaven, knowing that God is good and is with me on the journey.
——————————-
“Well a man can’t spend his life in reflection,
Just thinkin’ about the way things used to be…”
–Chris LeDoux
I read recently that there are three methods by which we can learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Now, I am speaking of reflection, not regrets. Many people sit in their rocker and look back at only the hard times, and the things that they regretted doing or not doing. That is not reflection!
True reflection builds. One learns by reflecting on past experiences, which as stated may be bitter. We come to terms with those events in our life by reflecting on them, learning from them, and then going forward. If reflection makes us bitter or stagnant then it is not true reflection. See, reflection also brings us to those events and experiences upon which we should be grateful. By purposely reflecting we can also see the hand of God working out all things for His glory, and turning the bad into good.
I recall the words of Paul, “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28, NKJV) I like the way one version translates this verse, “This is why a man should look into his own heart and life…” (NLV) This is in regard to the Lord’s Supper. We are to reflect on our lives, especially the recent events and make sure that we are right with the Lord.
There are times in our lives when we have to make “life decisions.” Decisions that we know will affect our life for the near and/or far-reaching future. For example, should I stay in the military or get out? I prayed, and thought about that long and hard. Or how about a move across the country? How does one come to a decision? They must reflect upon their experiences, what they believe that God wants them to do, think on why the move…all of these are part of what a person must reflect upon.
In the morning I like to sit in my chair, look out the window, and drink my coffee while I do my devotion and reading. Sometimes I just do it, but there are many times when I actually meditate and contemplate what I’m reading and writing–call it reflection. Often, in fact, quite often, as I am contemplating in the morning I reflect on how good God is. Why He has done so much for me, kept me from harm, guided my footsteps. In reflection I come up with the answer–God is simply good. Then I think, have I done enough for God, because He has done good to me? No, never could do enough, but then, He doesn’t expect me to. A smile might appear on my face–my what a good heavenly Father I have. Sometimes I just reflect on the character of God, how it is shown in my morning reading. Other times my reflection involves thoughts I want to write here in the “Echo.”
Once in a while, during my reading, I come upon a verse(s) that all of a sudden it seems that they jump out and really speak to me. There is a supernatural reflection, like a mirror, from the Son upon the Word and into my soul. And speaking of a mirror, the Bible is a mirror that reflects our heart condition.
So as I sit here today, and tomorrow, and Sunday reflecting on the past seventy-five years–WOW, what a ride, what a time it has been. And now in my life I’m taking a new direction. This season of life is new to me, so I reflect on the past, looking into my experiences and knowledge to try to live these last years the best I can. Yes, a different time, but maybe not a new direction as far as my final destination. I find myself reflecting more and more on Scripture and songs about my heavenly abode. I don’t find myself wishing for the past, and I don’t live in regret twiddling my thumbs on the mistakes that I’ve made. I “can’t ride the bronco anymore” (LeDoux) but I’m still on my way to heaven, knowing that God is good and is with me on the journey.