MIRROR

Now we see but a poor 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

Still meditating on the Christian as a Reflection of Christ, the only True MIRROR of life is the Word of God. We can use diverse kinds of mirror to examine how we look or the kind of person we are, but the only true mirror is God’s Word. Every other mirror will reveal warped views or distorted images. Yet, how we see ourselves is of utmost importance, as this will determine how far we go in life, and go with God. We look at life in different ways, and see ourselves differently. Yet, our opinions, thinking and character are determined by what reflection we see; hence, the source of that reflection is very important. None of us can see ourselves as clearly or fully as we should, but some people don’t see much at all. Are you seeing through a faulty, false, warped or dirty mirror?

Some people seem to be looking into a very tiny mirror. They have such narrow minded views that they can look through a keyhole with both eyes at the same time. Their vision of who they are is limited by their prejudices and opinions. In order to use such a tiny ‘self-deceiving’ mirror they have to move their face around a lot to see only those spots that concern them the most. It’s easy then to miss what everyone else can see so easily. If there is a blemish that one can’t see, then why bother to correct it? For such people, it isn’t that they can’t get a bigger or better mirror; they are simply convinced and satisfied that they are fine just like they are. There are some things in our lives that we are glad we can’t see; that we refuse to change, and therefore won’t look at in the mirror. These are the things that become sin to us and keep us from becoming the perfect image of Christ.

Some other folks look at their lives through false, ‘carnival’ mirrors – mirrors that distort images and don’t tell the truth. Some mirrors make you look like you are much taller than you really are. There are people in real life with exaggerated views of themselves, who have become much taller in their own eyes than they really are. They have placed themselves on a pedestal of pride and tend to look down on everyone else as less than perfect. According to true Mirror: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom.12:3).

There are those who look into a warped mirror and see an image that is much shorter than it should be. They never believe that they can be anything great in God’s sight. To them, every silver lining has a dark cloud. They have imbibed the devil’s dreams and listened to his voice whispering in their ear so much that they can’t hear anything else but his lies. They are paralysed by fear and see themselves as utter failures. If this describes your plight, you need to quit looking in the wrong mirrors and begin to see yourself the way God sees you – created “in His Image” (Gen.1:27). There are still others looking through dusty mirrors of self-condemnation; they see themselves as being almost dirty beyond redemption. Satan makes them to believe that they are so dirty they could never overcome sin or walk in righteousness. All they see are faults and failures – “manufactured guilt” from forgiven but self-exhumed sins and false religious demands.

These are not the pictures that Jesus wants you to see of yourself. You need to look into the perfect Mirror of God’s Word, if you are to be the person that God wants you to be; one who has a clear vision of who you are and what needs to change.