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Mirrors and Windows


This week I have been thinking about the roles of the prophets and prophetesses in our ancient scriptures. The ancient prophets were God’s voice to the people. The images that come to mind as I consider their dual roles, are that of mirrors and windows. A mirror reflects back to us the current state of affairs, while a window allows us to see out down the road.

The prophets’ first role was to name the present by calling on the people to repent or turn away from some kind of brokenness. But they also called the people to turn toward something new by offering a vision of what could be. They
acted as an intermediary in God’s relationship with the people.

We don’t often think of the prophetic role in contemporary terms, but it is here among us none the less. I wonder who you may consider as someone who calls us to task and invites us to consider a different path, either personally or corporately. Who invites us to really look in the mirror and take in what’s going on? Who invites us to look out the window and dream of what could be?

We need to be discerning about those we name as modern-day prophets. Just as in ancient times, some prophetic voices are authentic, while others show up as false prophets intent on leading us astray. So, who’s who in the zoo? I think we will know the difference when we consider what is calling upon our hearts as we nurture the divine-human relationship within our own lives, and in the comings and goings of our community. We will know when we look in the mirror and look out the
window.

Peace and joy,
Nancy