In a mirror, dimly

Have you ever wondered why a word or prophecy that you were given has not come to pass as you expected? I have. Now that I am a lot more keen on learning God’s ways, and not wanting my own way, I have a partial, but not complete, understanding of why. Towards the end of Paul’s chapter in 1 Corinthians on love, he writes, 

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Paul likens how we see knowledge and prophecy as looking in a mirror, dimly. Now to our 21^st Century minds this concept of a mirror doesn’t make sense. For us a mirror is far from dim! It is either our friend or foe because it reflects such a brutally honest image of how we look. Without our mirrors how would we know we have grey hairs sprouting, or a pimple protruding, or a piece of spinach stuck in-between our teeth? Unless, of course, we have a brutally honest friend or spouse! 

Ancient mirror made of polished bronze

On the contrary, the 1^st Century mirror Paul was referring to was made of polished bronze or metal. Our Greek tour guide pointed to such a mirror in a display case referring to this verse in 

1 Corinthians. Indeed, one would only see their reflection in part. Thus, the imperfect or dim view of themselves in the mirror, Paul compared to our imperfect understanding of knowledge and prophecy here on earth. 

It was the end of 2006 when I sensed the Lord saying I would be leaving Zimbabwe where I had been serving as a missionary since 1999. A treasure hunt to discover where He was sending me and what I would be doing ensued. As I prayed, fasted, studied His Word and sought counsel from those I trusted, I received small clues along the way. I don’t know if you are like me, but I eagerly turned the clues into conclusions, and started imagining and planning the next step. I quickly learned during this transitional time of seeking that God doesn’t like to be put in a box—He likes room to move and expand. The prophetic words and dreams I received during this time were meant for His interpretation and fulfilment, not mine. They were going to unfold and be completed in the time He desired (I moved to Cape Town in 2009); much like a baby developing in a womb and waiting for the appointed time of delivery. If God fulfilled the word immediately it would be deformed, incomplete, much like the development of a new life. It cannot be born at the moment of conception. It needs a safe, protected womb or environment for it to develop, and it will only be released when it is ready to breathe through its own lungs. I realized later that in many ways my prayers and fasting were attempts to twist God’s arm to move in the way I thought He wanted. I also realized He wanted to be the Treasure I discovered, not the clues along the way.

The more I discover God’s ways, the more I realize He isn’t interested in microwave results, but rather, that of a slow cooker. That way the flavours are more pronounced because they took their time to simmer. It is in our times of simmering that God produces something beautiful in us, and eventually through us. During our time here on earth, which is but a blink of the eye in relation to eternity, we will only see and know in part. It is only when we meet our Saviour and Lord face to face will we see and know perfectly why things had to be the way they were. In the meantime, may we put our trust in the One who sees and knows perfectly, clearly and lovingly.