“He never saw a mirror he didn’t like.” That is not a compliment. It speaks of one who is in love with the mirror, or should I actually say, the image in the mirror.
He/she walks by a mirror and they can’t help but look. I work out at the local Y in our town. The wall is covered with mirrors. Some use them to make sure they are doing their weight exercises correctly. Others? Well, let’s just say they love looking at themselves in the mirror. Flexing when they think no one is looking. Then again… I have even walked into a room where special classes are held to get something (when it is empty) and noticed that mirrors are a staple. Why? Especially because I hear most are in the class because they don’t like what they see.
Every morning, like most people, I have a ritual. I get up and shower then head to “my” bathroom where I brush my teeth, put on deodorant, and shave. The latter is, of course, done in front of a mirror. It could be kind of dangerous to not use a mirror. I have not yet become that brave. However, I don’t dwell in front of the mirror. I have no hair to style, comb through, blow dry or primp. But I do see imperfections, especially those that come with aging.
The apostle James talks about a mirror in chapter 1 of his book. He says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (verses 22-25) To look into a mirror and not do anything about what you see is like a person who looks into the Word of God (the Bible) and refuses to put into practice what he/she has seen. One would think it is pretty silly to look into a mirror after eating, seeing food on one’s chin, in one’s beard, or a shirt, and say, “Oh well,” and not do something about it. Reading the Bible, seeing the truth about ourselves, and not making the effort to change is just like the aforementioned person.
How much better it is to look into a mirror and do something about what you see (if possible). How much more important to look into the lamp of God’s Word and make the changes necessary to show Jesus in a clearer light.
Looking at our own reflection can be difficult at times, but necessary. As you said, if I read God’s word and don’t see the reflection of what I read in my own life, then a change is needed. And just like our “morning rituals”, we must carefully examine ourselves against His Word consistently. We will still have imperfections, but working on those areas that are the most obvious will definitely help.
What I didn’t include in my morning “ritual” is my time with God. I take that very seriously and feel out of sync when it doesn’t happen. I need that time and the changes He sometimes brings about.
Yet another great analogy, Bill! If we peer into our Bibles but fail to act upon what we’ve read, we’ve done nothing but waste God’s time. Lord, don’t let me ignore your Word!
Blessings!
Your last sentence should be the prayer on each one our hearts Martha. I pray that for me.
If you truly are trying to put God first in your life, the only way to do that is to take His word to heart and put His words into action. True we may fail, and never be perfect, however, we will have a lot victories to build on that God can use. When you honestly pursue God, He will guide your path and help you to be effective in His Kingdom.
So true Gail. Honestly pursuing Him will always find an answer and a path.
Such true thoughts, Pastor Bill. How foolish we are to see the imperfections & things we don’t like about ourselves and just go on pretending everything is fine when it is not. I don’t know if we think we are fooling God or what, but He is continually looking at us & seeing the spiritual needs that we try to forget & overlook. I feel so convicted & am thankful for the conviction & for you being true to our souls here.
Thanks Cheryl. Looking into the mirror is not always fun but it is essential! It is so important that we see ourselves as God really sees us. it is not a popular thing to do but so necessary. Thanks for reading.