Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? Silly question, we all have, but what did you see? Most times we look into a mirror to make sure our appearance looks okay for others to see. But what do they see? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you know what I like most about some people? What you see is what you get. The closer you get to know someone the more honest a picture you get of them. Meet someone where they live and you will learn more about them than you could any other way.
Sometimes the reflection we see in the mirror is not what is really in our hearts. Most times we cover up what we truly think. We try to put up a good front and hope people don’t see through us. We don’t always show people who we really are. Social media has made that a national pastime. It can be hard to know what is real and what is a façade.
James 1:23-24; NLT; For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
That is not the way God would like us to be. He desires that we are transparent, that our motives would be plain to see and others would see the love of Christ in us. We need to reflect the character of God.
To do that we must be honest with ourselves. We need to look into that mirror and see who we really are. Then we need to get on our knees before God and ask for His forgiveness and restoration. We were created in His image, but we’ve corrupted that. We make choices that go against what God desired for us and tarnished the image of Him in us. We need to be transformed.
Romans 12:2; Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We all run the race of life a little bit differently, some of us are all in, some through caution to the wind, some are patient and wait for their opportunity, and there is everything in between. Living together we learn how the people around us respond to certain circumstances. We learn when we need to do something and when we shouldn’t. Being able to trust those around us is critical to running a good race, living a God honoring life.
We don’t always remember that; people around us can help but only if we listen. The ultimate decision is in our hands. No matter what the input and how much sense it makes, the decision is in the person with their hands on the wheel.
Therein lies the problem, we don’t listen and learn. We think we know it all or can figure it all out. God desires that we think otherwise. God desires that we listen to the Holy Spirit and follow his direction. That is the only way we can move in the right direction.
We face the challenge of looking at that reflection, sometimes it isn’t pretty or comfortable to look at. Sometimes we are just plain ugly. Funny thing about a mirror is it only reflects what it sees. That is not how God desires us to be. His word challenges us to change the clothes we wear, change the attitude we have, change the way we see things.
Colossians 3:12-13, NLT; Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
In stark contrast to human nature, God expects us to see and act differently. Let’s be honest with ourselves; compassion, kindness, patience, humility, gentleness and forgiveness all require self-control and that is something we all have to work on.
How do we get good at something? We practice. Practice is the only way we can grow and increase our faith. When we practice something we have the capacity to make improvements. We will never make progress if we don’t start practicing.
In addition to that we need to be coached. We need someone there to tell us when we are doing it right and correct us when we are doing it wrong. None of us likes to be corrected, but that is a necessary component of improving our reflection, we cannot do it alone.
When we surrender our lives to Christ the Holy Spirit comes in, He resides in our heart. He is there to encourage us when we are right and convict us when we are not. He guides and councils us in the ways of God, just like that coach, he speaks in our ear.
Don’t tune Him out. Don’t ignore His guidance. Don’t think you know better. If we follow that temptation it will not go well for us. Talk with God; ask Him, He’ll answer. He will speak to us through the Holy Spirit and guide us along the right path. He will not lead us astray.
Blessings,
Pastor Don