Devotional Thought of the Day:

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 

As a young minister, the greatest challenge for me was when I didn’t have the answers.  To be honest, there would be times where i would put my mind,  and my computer into high gear, trying to come up with answers, any answers. It seems wrong, inconceivable even that we wouldn’t have all answers, that we couldn’t provide the answers to the people they need them.

That we wouldn’t be able to provide them what they need, that we can’t give them the answers that would solve their solution seems horrendous The answers that would bring an end to their pain, to their tears, why can’t we provide those answers, why can’t we know… and help them know… all that they need to know to bring them to peace. 

And we feel we fail…them, ourselves…God – when we don’t have the answers, when we have to admit we see but a sliver of God’s will. 

St Paul’s words here in 1 Corinthians 13 challenge that assumption of failure, that we aren’t strong enough or mature enough or faithful enough because we do not understand. We do know only in part, even as I child does.   Or as one Bible commentary explained – the picture is that of looking at a reflection in a fogged cover series of mirrors – nine of them.  The image is there, but the detail is not quite discernible.

Yet in our childlike view, there is an incredible blessing – we have to turn to someOne for the answers, someOne who is there, who is patient, who is willing to endure and love us, even while we struggle with our limitations.  A Father who we can trust, whom we can depend upon, who will continue to work alongside us.  That is the challenge, to realize the immensity of God’s love for us.  To realize His presence, not just as an academic theological position, to to interact with Him, to relax in His presence. as a child does, assured by the love of his/her Father.Even after the peace comes from throwing a royal tantrum, as we struggle to realize, and get frustrated that we cannot realize, the power of living in God’s presence.

Not knowing, not being able to grasp what is going on in life around you, there is only one option – to depend on the one who welcomes you, and has all the answers.  To walk with God, rather than trying to play a god.   To trust in His logic, in His will, not ours.  To rest assured… knowing His love…knowing His promises

Not an easy task…

But it is one, that will give us more rest.. more peace, even in the midst of storms.  Not because we know about God, but because we know Him…