By Ginny (MAD21)
Nothing is usually ever as it appears. We may be lucky enough every now and then to have something be genuinely what we see before us, but it is unlikely to be 100% face value.
I once had someone tell me there are four different ways that we are seen:
Things only God sees in us;
Things only we see in ourselves;
Things only other see in us; and
Things everyone sees.
Only God. He knows it all. What's the "it?" Everything, that's what. The beginning, the end, and everything in between. He knows us and our children, and our children's children. He knows all the choices we have made and will make, and what choices others will make that will affect our lives forever. He knows what he wants us to become, and who we will choose to be.
Only Us. Outside of God, we are the only ones who have been with us since the beginning. We were the only ones who experienced all of the joys and sorrows in our lives. There are things we know about ourselves that no one else knows, emotions we feel that others may not know or understand. Thoughts, feelings and opinions we may feel regarding everything that we choose to let others know about, or not.
Only Others. One of the reasons I believe God created community, is that there are always things that we don't see in ourselves... good and bad things. Anytime I have a major decision in my life, I always talk to God first, but after that I always talk to those closest to me. Those who I feel know me the best. For example, I have always advised the young people in my life to ask the advice of their family and best friends regarding boyfriends, girlfriends or spouses. Those closest to them may be able to see some warning signs that love or attraction may have kept from sight. It may be the most important thing you can do before making major decisions; the one thing that might help keep you from disaster.
Everyone. This one is rather obvious. These are the things about us that are just 'out there' for the world to see. Things we can't hide about ourselves. It's who we are be it introverted, extraverted, or a little insane.
Each one of these perspectives offer a different reflection. They give us a glimpse into what is going on around us, and who we are. I think when we are seeking God's will for our lives we should meditate on each of these perspectives. We will never become whole in this life, but if we look at the right reflections, we can possibly get a little be closer than we were yesterday.
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)
This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Peter Pollock's place.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Reflection.