Articles/Bulletins
Lake Fog
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 5/6/19
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,
even as I have been fully known." - I Cor. 13:12
I arrived at a lake in West Virginia just as the sun was rising only to find the lake completely shrouded in a heavy fog. As the sun rose, the fog started to dissipate and the colors of the trees surrounding the lake slowly came into view. But only slightly. The wind ruffled the water making the reflections look like an abstract painting. Gradually the wind calmed and the reflections became clearer. The winds across the lake never completely abated until long after this picture was taken, but the slow process of clarification reminded me of my own limitations in understanding and discerning the intracacies of the Christian faith. We do see in a mirror dimly. As people mature in the Christian faith two things become evident. Firstly, there is much we need to learn, and secondly there is much we need to unlearn. Time spent in the study of scripture clarifies some long held beliefs, even as it casts doubt upon others. The fog lifts on some issues, but the wind still ruffles the waters. We must always be leery of those who claim to have all the answers to all of the questions. The clarity we long for will only come after we meet the source of all truth face-to-face. I am very sure about what constitutes the core of my faith, but I must confess that I have a lot fewer things in that core than I used to have. Genuine maturity will always be accompanied by humility. There are many doctrinal positions around which Christians can disagree and still treat each other with love in the bond of unity. And there are other issues upon which all Christians must agree. The difference between the two will become clearer as we mature in the faith. We still see dimly, we still know in part, but there will come a time when all fog dissipates and all winds will cease. Let us now act in love with forbearance toward one another as we wait. Our knowledge may be limited now, but our love should not be. - John
- Lake_Fog.pdf (59.93 kB)
