There’s this verse in 1 Corinthians 13 that made no sense to me growing up, which will make sense after you hear what verse it is. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” Ummm, what? Huh?
Growing up, I would just kinda skip over that part because it did not make sense to me like “What’s wrong with your mirror?” And I must warn you, I still only partially understand the verse, but I want to share some of the thoughts in my head.
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror”= When we see ourselves, we sorta, kinda see Christ in us and the treasure that He’s put inside us, but it’s not totally clear. We find it difficult to see all the things that God says about us. He says that we are chosen and beloved and beautiful and children of the light, but we struggle to see that. The sin and darkness of this world often cloud our vision and make it hard to see.
“Then we shall see face to face”= I will meet Jesus. I won’t just hear about Him and sing about Him and read about Him and dream about Him and talk to Him, I will SEE Jesus. I’m not sure if I’m going to be Awkward Annie or Fainting Phoebe, but I know that it will be quite an experience. I cannot actually imagine meeting Jesus because there’s no one else that I can use as a worthy reference of how glorious and awesome and powerful and loving my Jesus is. I think about Paul’s experience on the road of Damascus and I reckon that it will be somewhat like that. I will see Jesus and I will most likely fall to the ground overwhelmed at the glorious light emitting from every direction.
“Now I know in part”= I won’t even get started on how little I know. The depth of my ignorance is so overwhelming that the word “part” seems to over-represent what I know. I have not scratched the surface of God and all He is and what He is doing.
“Even as I am fully known”= Just like Adam knew Eve in Genesis, I am fully known by God. It’s this intimate knowing that surpasses my own love and understanding of myself. He knows how many hairs are on my head and on my legs, he knows my deepest fears, my subconscious motivations, he knows my heart, he knows what ticks me off and what turns me on, he knows exactly why I do what I do and when the day comes I will know my Lord with the same intensity and intimacy. Cray!
Who knew that squeezed in a chapter all about love was this beautiful scripture that basically says love opens our eyes and lets light in, so when we love, we see God more and one day we will see and love him fully. Don’t see why I didn’t get this as a kid lol.
