Thursday, December 10, 2015

Reflect: Five Minute Friday

Prompted but unscripted, a "free write" for five minutes with no edits, no re-writes. Every Friday (or Thursday night if you're at the Twitter party), we receive the week's prompt and write. Sometimes silly, sometimes serious, and usually spontaneous, this community has grown so much and now means a lot to me! Join us, it's so much fun! Here's the link to Kate's page.

Go!

Tonight's prompt is Reflect.

I am actually using my timer tonight. *Good girl*
:)
At first, reflect stirred nostalgic candlelight and year-end memories by the fireplace.

Quickly, though, I realized how self-focused that post would have been.

My vein tonight is reflect as in a reflection.

My challenge?  That when others are human to me, that I would be a mirror, but that instead of seeing themselves, they would see Jesus looking back at them.

How do we accomplish this?  With love. "Rid yourselves of all malice" literally means to bless.

If a hating, spewing person does not get a hateful, spewing reaction, but instead one of love, they will be confused.

"I tell you bless those that curse you.
You will heap flaming coals upon their head."
Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
Romans 12:20 "On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Matthew 5:40-48 in the Voice Translation states:


40 If someone connives to get your shirt, give him your jacket as well. 41 If someone forces you to walk with him for a mile, walk with him for two instead. 42 If someone asks you for something, give it to him. If someone wants to borrow something from you, do not turn away.
43 You have been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you— 45 in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven. He, after all, loves each of us—good and evil, kind and cruel. He causes the sun to rise and shine on evil and good alike. He causes the rain to water the fields of the righteous and the fields of the sinner. 46 It is easy to love those who love you—even a tax collector can love those who love him. 47 And it is easy to greet your friends—even outsiders do that! 48 But you are called to something higher: “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

The more we are looking outward to the needs of others, the less focused we are on our own needs (and wants). This does not mean irresponsibility, but instead, unselfishness. When somebody hurts you, ask yourself "why?" Was it really you they were upset with? Or are you an innocent casualty?

If we will choose to reflect instead of react, we will be Jesus to a dark world. And, on that silent, holy night, when the world was just as dark and gloomy as it was before He came, and still is, HE was brilliant and glorious, and He Was and Is and Is to Come!

When we allow our lives to reflect Jesus to others, we are removed from the depth of the sting that their "light and momentary" wounds cause us.
We can alternately choose to reflect on what they have done to us, moving the focus inward, and I think you and I both know, that there's a lot less of Jesus in that choice.

*timer has spoken*



Blessings to you and a Merry Christmas!!
~Tammy

(and I again ask for your linkup number or url in your comment, please, pretty please, so I can read your post and comment back!!)

10 comments:

  1. Tammy, great minds think alike! :) Loved your post, especially what you said here: "That when others are human to me, that I would be a mirror, but that instead of seeing themselves, they would see Jesus looking back at them." I absolutely LOVE this.

    Thanks for the verses and the challenge to be like Jesus to those who hurt us. Beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Jeanne. :) Asheritah's post made me think of you and how much you have been able to encourage me this year. I'm glad and blessed that you are my friend not only for now, but for eternity.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  2. I'm your neighbor tonight :). I wrote about that aspect of 'reflect' too! Your thoughts reinforced what I have been thinking about all week--especially that I need to quit reaction to situations if I want to reflect God's love!

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    1. Anita!
      :) I'll be reading your post shortly. This lesson has been a few months in the making for me. And, this morning was an opportunity to realize how far I've yet to go.
      I updated the post with a video at the end that helped me focus and calm after a stormy morning...
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI
      Thank you for your time and love! I'm feeling it!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. When I think of Jesus in a mirror, looking back at me...he's laughing fit to bust a gut.

    Way to ill to write more, today was grotesque, but I loved the way you approcahed this.

    #3 at FMF, I think.

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    1. Andrew,
      oh you silly horse. :) You and I both know it's so much deeper. Still, thank you for the laugh. I think your gut is busting without laughter, which is sad, so maybe I'll make you laugh so you'll at least enjoy the busting...oh my.
      Thank you for your encouragement as always, Andrew. I'm looking forward to our next life where we'll all have joy and no sorrow. Glad you and I and all our FMF friends will be there together!
      ~Tammy

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  4. My mom totally would give the shirt off of her back which is so incredible to me since she's not had the easiest life! I want to show that love too. And the Message I love that translation. Love always wins! I'm over in the #11 spot this week.

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    1. Thanks, Tara. I apologize, it was quite the Christmas weekend, but I'm catching up tonight! :)
      Love you, friend!
      ~Tammy

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  5. I love this: "If we will choose to reflect instead of react, we will be Jesus to a dark world." It's not always easy to make that choice but I agree, I want to reflect Jesus to others and let them see his love in me. (#54)

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    1. Beautiful post, Carly. Thank you again for visiting me over here. I apologize for the delay in responding. Our school week ends Friday and there have been tests to write, as well as a piano recital and a Christmas tea this weekend. :D
      We also took some kids sledding for their first time. But, it left me far away from the internet.
      So, I thank you again for your friendship and comments. You are a dear friend!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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