Reflection

Reflection
by Paul Walerczak

Wow!  There it is!  A real mirror image!

That was the only thought racing through my mind as I stepped up to the final tee box during a recent round of golf I was blessed to play in Orlando, FL.  I simply stood on the tee box in total amazement.  At that moment I was not focused on the length of the hole, whether it was a par 4 or a par 5, where I would ATTEMPT to place the ball on the drive to allow for a good approach shot to the green, or the mechanics of my swing.  I just stood in awe struck wonder at the beautiful canvas of colors that were being recreated on the still water that lied next to the tee box.

There was a time when I took golf way too serious.  In my efforts to shoot a low round of golf I am sure that I missed moments like these all the time.  Special moments when God simply wanted to show me something beautiful that He had created just for me to see.  A moment very similar to when an earthly father shows a child something he has done for them.   Moments when the heart of an outdoorsmen, such as much myself, is connected with the heart of his Creator, Almighty God.  Oh I long for these awe-inspiring, divine moments, with my Heavenly Father!  In these special moments my heart cries "Abba" Father.  Abba is simply the most intimate word a Jewish child uses when they call out to their father.  It simply means "Dad". On that tee box my heart and soul simply said "thanks dad".

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This image inspired this devotion! click on it for a higher resolution picture

With all the hustle and bustle of life I am trying to learn to slow down.  Slowing down is something that is really hard for me to do!  It goes against every fiber in me to simply "be still" as described in Psalm 46:10.  By God's grace I am learning though. He is teaching me just like a father who loves his children teaches them.  I am thankful for His instruction that yields these ah-ha moments.

Since that special day on the tee box I have had even more time to reflect on that beautiful mirror image.  The reproduction of the trees on the canvas of still water is not an exact duplicate of the real thing, although it is very close!  The real image, combined with the mirror image, yields a spectacular portrait for us to marvel in.  In 1 Corinthians 11:1 the apostle Paul says "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ".  Paul simply wanted to be a mirror image of Jesus!  Paul wasn't asking people to follow him because of who he was. He asked people to follow him because of who he imitated.  That is a real role model!

May our lives simply be a mirror image of our Lord and beautiful Savior Jesus Christ!  Although we will never be the exact duplicate of Jesus, may our lives simply create a wonderful portrait as we walk daily, moment by moment, with our "Abba" Father, Almighty God!

Blessings on your week!
paul

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