The value of reflection

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Psalm 46:10 is a favorite verse among Christians. You may even have a coffee mug or magnet somewhere around the house with this well-known verse. And yet, as much as Christians like this verse, it presents us with a bit of a challenge: it is hard to be still.

Taking time to be quiet with our thoughts sometimes seems like such a waste of time. Making it even more difficult is an inner voice that constantly reminds us there is so much to be done. And when we do have a few moments of downtime, it is so easy to reach for our smartphones and scroll through our Facebook or Instagram feed.

I’m not against the use of social media, but since we desire to grow as disciples of Jesus, we need to be mindful of the invitation of scripture—the invitation to reflect. The most common examples of this are found in the book of Psalms. The psalmists write things like “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple” (Ps. 48:9) and “I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands” (Ps. 143:5). Even Jesus invites us to slow down and “consider the lilies” (Luke 12:27).^* Part of the life of a disciple includes taking the time to slow down, quiet our hearts, and think deeply about the Christian life. This is the art of reflection.

“Why should I take time for reflection?” you might ask. While the benefits of reflection are many, here are a few reasons that make the effort worthwhile:

• Reflection helps us process what God is doing in our lives. It aids us in being able to step back and see the bigger picture of what God is up to. This might be especially true during times of transition and decision-making.
• Reflection moves our learning from the head to the heart. It is great to read Christian books or listen to podcasts. But as growing disciples, it is vital that we always be moving from filling our heads with theological truths to practical application that affects our daily lives.
• Reflection puts us in a position to hear from the Lord. In the quietness of our thoughts, the Holy Spirit begins to whisper to us the things that are on God’s heart.
• Reflection results in a deeper walk with God. As the psalmist reminds us, stillness leads to knowing God and a closer relationship with Him.

There is no doubting the benefits of regular times of reflection in our Christian lives. So what kinds of things can we reflect on? Here are a few ideas:

• God’s word. The writer of Psalm 1 meditates on God’s law, and we can do the same. This could be from our personal Bible reading or from the sermon we heard (or preached!) on Sunday.
• The greatness of God. Taking time to consider the many wonderful characteristics of God is always a good option.
• The death and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel is not just something we tell to nonbelievers. As Christians, we need to remind ourselves of the good news on a regular basis.
• Our relationship with God. How is our current spiritual condition? Are there any actions or attitudes that the Lord may want us to correct? Consider this a kind of spiritual checkup.
• What God is up to. God is often at work in our hearts and lives, but we don’t notice it because we don’t take time to reflect.

Reflection will look different for each person. One person may like to reflect while out on their morning walk, while another will do it while sitting at their office desk. Some will reflect with pen and journal in hand, while others will find that reflection fits nicely into their time of personal prayer or worship. However we implement the art of reflection, spending just a few minutes a couple of days a week could potentially produce much fruit in our walk with the Lord.

Are you ready to give it a try?

* All emphases mine.