1 Corinthians 13:12 (NRSV): “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.”
There are moments in life when things don’t line up clearly—when we misunderstand one another, when intentions are questioned, and when even our own emotions feel confusing. Paul’s ancient words, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly,” still ring true in our modern lives. We don’t always see people or situations as they really are. Miscommunication, assumptions, and fear can blur our vision. We want answers, but life often gives us riddles. We want certainty, but we live in a world full of mystery. It can be frustrating and even painful to live with that kind of uncertainty.
Yet in the middle of all this confusion, love offers a way forward. Not the polished kind of love that’s easy to talk about, but the deeper kind—love that listens even when it doesn’t understand, love that chooses patience when it’s easier to walk away. When we admit we don’t have all the answers, we make space for connection. We begin to treat others not as puzzles to solve, but as people to care for. Love doesn’t demand complete clarity; it simply asks us to show up with open hearts, even when the picture isn’t clear.
One day, perhaps, we’ll look back and things will make more sense. We’ll see why someone acted the way they did, or why we were meant to take the path we did. But in the meantime, we live in that “dim mirror” space—learning, stumbling, forgiving, trying again. And through it all, love remains the most reliable guide we have.
Even when we can’t see everything clearly, love helps us see enough to take the next right step.