Musings from the Manse – August 2021

Reflection is an overused word but an underused practice. What do you think? Or are you reading this next sentence without anymore thought, just to prove the statement right? Sometimes, like when I took the above photo recently at Loch Rannoch, you are almost compelled just to stop and take in the scene. But even in doing that, I sometimes have the tendency to think more about taking the photo on what would look best rather than I do about just taking in what I see, what I smell, what I hear, who I am with and what I am experiencing overall and more important how am I experiencing God in this moment?

We naturally reflect on everything we experience with our senses but it doesn’t mean we dwell on it or even sometimes give it much thought. So often we seem to be rushing on to the next experience.

Seeing the Kelpies for the first time recently made me marvel at human creativity and indeed the engineering and what they represent. That said, whilst there I was perhaps too keen to move on to see the Falkirk Wheel which is amazing. I did reflect whilst watching it rotate and reading it’s story, how an old canal system has been given such a new lease of life and at the same time created a new tourist attraction, as well as dramatically shortening the journey time for canal boats.

So many times we see Jesus take time out to pray and no doubt to reflect and talk to his father on what had happened and where and what next, indeed the lectionary reading for last week from Mark 6 tells us;

‘30 The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.’

Jesus recognises the need for time out to restore our souls[and eat] and spend time to think about things. Indeed, he encouraged his followers to reflect on what he did and what he said.

I pray that whilst we are still under the shadow of the pandemic, we will still take time to reflect during summer and maybe think about these questions;

What blessings in your life make you thankful?

Where are you with God?

What things prevent you from taking time to stop and reflect?

In what ways will you develop your relationship with Jesus?

What new things do you want to see your church doing?

Your friend and servant,  Alan

Post a comment

Print your tickets