M3-S4: RHYTHMS OF REFLECTION

SUMMARY

  • Reflection is the practice that supports all the other practices and rhythms.
  • Reflection is the antidote to short-term memory.
  • Reflection helps us stick with what God is doing long enough for him to do his work.
  • Easy to avoid reflection out of fear: remember that God is for us and welcomes us before his throne of grace.
  • Basic rhythms of reflection are daily and weekly.
  • Through reflection, discern with God’s help when to stick with a particular practice and when to change things up.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS

James 1:22-25

THE FUNCTION OF THE MIRROR IS TO REFLECT

We are already well versed in James 1:22—much of the Regnare Project has been about just this: to not merely listen to the Word of God but to learn how to do it.

But the analogy that James uses here is instructive for one of the core practices of any framework for spiritual formation. The purpose of a mirror is to show us what we look like. But James reminds us how short our memories are. When we look into Scripture, we are invited into another world, one in which things look upside down, one in which the beatitudes describe those who are truly blessed, one in which love is the first and last of all things, and one in which God reigns victorious despite all of what seems like evidence to the contrary. This mirror shows the world as it truly is. But as we all know, we don’t look into a mirror to see the world behind us. It is to see what we look like. And sticking with James’ metaphor, the mirror of God’s Word shows what we look like in relation to God’s world as it is revealed to us.

But we have this tendency whenever we encounter God’s Word to appreciate what we see and agree that it is good, but then we go away and immediately forget what we just saw. We look away from the mirror and immediately the contours of the world fills our mind again.

We have said over and over that the purpose of reflection is to stick with whatever God has us doing in order for it to have its intended effect on us. James here calls it “looking intently”—and then with the help of the mirror, doing what it says, aligning what we see with God and his kingdom, doing what it says—not forgetting but “continuing”, staying with and in the truth.

The outcome of this, James reminds us, isn’t a slog, it isn’t a burdened life, it isn’t condemnation or shame, it is a life of blessing. Remember that a blessed life is one lived under the conditions of God’s special gifting and power, a life lived with the resources God gives to those he loves, a life suffused with the life of God himself, which is the greatest treasure of the kingdom. Reflection is looking intently into this new world which has the effect of freeing us to thrive, to flourish, to live in the blessing that is eternal life.

THE PRACTICE OF REFLECTION

What do we mean when we say reflection? We’re talking about the simple practice of periodically looking at ourselves and what’s going on in our lives to discern what God is doing and what we’re doing in relation to him:

  • What is driving me?
  • What choices am I making?
  • What is God doing around me?
  • Who am I called to love in my world?
  • What has God given me for my enjoyment?
  • What sin am I tempted by and why?
  • What do I have to be thankful for?
  • What am I struggling with?
  • What kind of rest do I need?
  • Is what I am doing taking me by steps toward God and his kingdom?
  • Am I flourishing?

This is not a checklist, merely a random sampling of the kinds of questions that might come up as we reflect on our walk with God and the people in our world.

The best way to think of the practice of reflection is to understand that this is the practice that supports all the other practices. The function of reflection is to keep us aware, awake, and intentional about our walk with Jesus. How do we know if we are on the right track unless we are paying attention?

GRACE AT THE CENTER OF REFLECTION

The number one thing that hinders the practice of reflection is fear. It’s easy for some of us to feel like that this is some kind of performance test, a grading session, or even worse: an opportunity to get scolded by God because we aren’t measuring up.

As our text reminds us, when we reflect, we are looking into the “perfect law that gives freedom”. Jesus wants to take us from where we are now into a life of deeper fruitfulness with him. Remember that walking with Jesus should be like rest for our souls.

Over time, the practice of reflection should become for each of us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus never tires of welcoming us into his presence. He is the fountainhead of new life, and the practice of reflection is how we steer deeper into that flow with each day.

RHYTHMS OF REFLECTION

The practice of reflection is best undertaken at certain intervals:

  • DAILY: pausing and looking back over the previous day, playing back the events like a movie in our heads, giving thanks for graces (things we can be thankful for, places where God was present and active) or seeking forgiveness for the places where we turned away from opportunities to love God and the people in our world. This doesn’t have to take very long; usually the significant things in our days stick out in our memories, at least for a short time.
  • WEEKLY: a weekly reflective rhythm looks back over the last week and seeks to discern any patterns or significant events that are important enough to warrant continued attention. Did God speak clearly to us? Is there something nagging at us that we haven’t spent the time to ferret out? How have our rhythms and practices helped us keep in step with the Spirit? Are there any changes we need to make to next week’s schedule?
  • MONTHLY and YEARLY: these intervals aren’t strictly necessary, especially not at the beginning as we are seeking to establish a rhythm of reflection for the first time. But it can be helpful to look back over the longer periods to discern the big movements of God over time. A time of reflection at the end of the year often yields excitement for the coming year and a desire to begin afresh with Jesus, ready to go where he leads.

One of the major functions of all these different intervals is to discern if or when a change is needed in the practices that support our walk with Jesus. How do we know when to press on and persevere with a rhythm or practice? How do we know when to let go go or make a major change to what we are doing? Let God guide you as you discern if you’ve given yourself enough time to establish a new rhythm and see fruit; beware the trap of constantly making changes without giving perseverance time to do its work.