The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13 that “now we see through a glass darkly…”. Does that frustrate you as much as it does me? I want clarity and I want it now.
So…I’m in an interesting passage in my life. In 2 short days I will be officially inaugurated into the Presidency of William Jessup University(WJU), a position I have officially held for six months. Things are going great and I expect our Board meeting on Thursday and the Inauguration to be fantastic, historic, and celebratory. All good.
So why am I having so many thoughts about the journey that life has taken Pam and me on for these many years? Am I just getting old and reflective? Maybe. But I suspect it also has to do with this being a milestone moment (one similar to where God instructed the children of Israel to “mark this spot” with a monument of rocks), and the fact that we will be with family and many dear friends and respected colleagues in ministry these next several days. But I wonder if more is going on here than meets the casual eye.
I wonder if God is challenging me to reflect on the journey of faith. I am in my office now, having just returned from chapel at WJU (www.jessup.edu) and my heart is full as we have been well led in worship. God seems to be asking me to remember that all of this journey up to today required all the previous seasons of life. We do not get to “today” and “tomorrow” (where I always seem to be rushing towards) unless we pass through “yesterday”. Would I have rushed towards today and tomorrow if I knew yesterday what would come through those doors? Or does God have us see through a glass darkly so that we must hold His hand more closely as we step through the doors of the present and future?
While in chapel today I saw a mother and father hold their 9 month old baby girl tightly. She had not a care in the world. She was warm and safe. She knows nothing of what lies ahead but she is secure in the one who holds her.
Today as I think about all the joy of the moment, and as I dream about all the potential and possibility of all the Tomorrows yet not experienced, I pause to thank Our Father for all the Yesterdays where He held us tight even though we had no idea what the future would bring. I’m glad, since we see through a glass darkly, that our Father holds us tight when we walk with Him.
