For now we see only a 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. 
1 Corinthians 13:12

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

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The groundhog didn’t see his shadow on February 2. While I welcome the “early Spring” weather this year with arms wide open, the result of the warmer temps has made for a foggy start to 2024. On a particularly foggy morning, I stared out my window, wondering if it was safe to take a walk around my neighborhood when I could barely see the 60-foot-tall tree standing stoically in my front yard. One of my favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes resounded in my mind, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” I fully knew the way around my neighborhood, but the added fog hindered a normally clear view, and faith in myself and being visible to others waned. Staying indoors seemed the better option.

In our faith journey, we often encounter instances where our shortcomings and failures loom larger than life, casting a shadowy fog over different areas in our lives. Our first instinct may be to hide away, ashamed. Shame often thrives in the gaps between our perceived inadequacies and the unrealistic standards we impose upon ourselves. It whispers lies about our identity, convincing us that we are unworthy or unable. Yet, the truth revealed in 1 Corinthians 13:12 is a beacon of hope during our struggles and offers a profound revelation about the nature of our human experience and the transformative power of God’s love. It speaks to the inherent limitations of our understanding and perception, reminding us that our comprehension of ourselves and our circumstances is incomplete without Him. One day, we will see “face to face,” experiencing the fullness of God’s truth and love in all its glory. Until then, we walk by faith, trusting that each step brings us closer to realizing God’s perfect plan for our lives.

In the light of God’s love, shame loses its power to define us. We are liberated from the burden of perfectionism and invited to embrace our humanity in all its beauty and brokenness. Our worth is not contingent upon our achievements or ability to meet certain expectations. Rather, it is grounded in the unconditional love of God, who sees us fully and knows us intimately. When we can barely make out the path ahead, our perception of reality is clouded by our finite perspective. We may not grasp the full extent of God’s plan or comprehend the mysteries of His ways, but we know He has gone before us, and everything is made perfect in His plan.

So, let us step out in faith, trusting that God is leading us ever upward, even when the path ahead seems obscured. In the end, we will behold the fullness of His glory, and our faith will be rewarded beyond measure.

Next Steps

As you meditate on 1 Corinthians 13:12, release the grip of shame and open your heart to the transformative power of God’s grace. Trust in the promise of a future where we shall know fully, even as we are fully known—a future where shame is replaced by glory, and where love reigns supreme.