This week as I finished giving the sermon, I did something that is often done. I asked our congregation to reflect on something from the message. To look deep inside of themselves and to find something. I understand that this is quite general, but the specific details of this service are not important to the point of this blog.

The point of this blog is to look and try to understand what it truly means to reflect. This reflective statement is often found at the end of a message, but how do we do it, what does it mean, and what is the purpose. The most basic way of aswering the question of “what is reflection” is to say take a look at yourself. BUT WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR???

When we talk about reflection from a spiritual standpoint, we must honestly look at our spiritual lives and ask if we are where we should be. It is not a matter of whether we are close, or how far we truly are, but rather are we there. due to the fact that we are all sinners, I would venture to say that few if anyone is there.

This is where we find reflection. Spiritual reflection is looking at our spiritual lives, realizing how much better we could be, and determining how to get there. Whether it is to let something go, to start something new, to dream bigger, or to be more realistic. This is why the reflective question is a self-reflective question. You are the only one who can know and understand where you are at, and how to get where we are called to be.

It is my hope and prayer that as you reflect this week, you see God, talk to God, and see who you can be through Him. There is nothing greater than realizing how far we have to go, but seeing the grace God provides to carry us there.

Remember the great C+C Music Factory song of the early 90’s that would make you wanna bust out in the worm (Johnny V. That’s for you)? You know the one where “your guy is dressed all fly, to go out with the guys” and then “he come home late smelling like perfume”; Things that made you go HMMM….

Ever feel like your faith journey makes you go HMMM? Things just don’t seem to make sense all the time. Feel like your doing everything in you power to follow after Christ and all the while your world is crumbling around you.

All it takes is a minute or 2 to stop and think about all the things that are going on around us and think, HMMM, what does it all mean? War and threats of war; economic turmoil; nature disasters; foreclosures; lost jobs; elections; poverty; violence; and the list goes on and on. Ever sit back and just go HMMM?

In recent months and even years, I have subtly watched the signs of a hurting world get worse. Of course we could mount the evidence to suggest that Christ is soon to come again, but wouldn’t it be more prudent of us to more than ever be consumed by the salvation message of Christ to such a point that we can no longer pass by the hurting and do nothing? We can no longer hoard the gift of salvation for just us? When will the church be awaken to such a point that God can stop having to go HMMM? You see, the things He has shown us, the truth he has given us, and the power he has entrusted to us, I can only imagine makes Him go HMMM. HMMM, I given them the tools; I’ve given them power; I’ve given my Son why are people still dying void of Me?

Proverbs 23: 4-5 says:
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

I know for many of us the time and resource of ministry is sometimes all to intrusive of our personal pusuits. God specifically speaks to the idea that all things, money included, will pass away and the only thing that will remain will be His Kingdom. I hope that God stirs in each one of us a motivation to touch the world around us. Don’t be afraid to speak truth. Don’t be ashamed to face injustice head on. God has already given us the power to conquer and His son to save. Be the one to make a difference and change the world around you.

Be Blessed and Go….