“Looking in the Mirror.”

I imagine that you are like me in the sense that you at some point look into the mirror, checking your appearance! When we look at ourselves in the mirror it is a time of self-examination; Hair, clothes, skin, and for women (makeup). Have we gained weight or lost weight is something that we can’t help but notice. Sometimes as we age, we see a line, a wrinkle, a sign of gray. The mirror with the right lighting reveals both that in which we are pleased and also what we consider our imperfections.

There are many things that can help us in the world in which we live today to help us correct many physical features in which we are unhappy with, and many will exhaust every option in which they can pursue to help with their physical feature(s) to help bring them satisfaction.

My point to ponder today is, “How much time do we spend looking into the spiritual mirror (God’s Word) compared to the physical mirror?” James instructs us, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 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 observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (James 1:21-25).”

Here are somethings that I have noticed between the two mirrors!

1. I am aging. Since I was 9 years old, I have been dealing with chronic illnesses. Over the years, other illnesses and issues have continued to plaque me. When I was younger, it seemed as though that I could rebound a lot quicker than now, and the effects are felt more now than before. But, when I look into the spiritual mirror, my spirit is renewed and refreshed each day, with the hope of heaven and realizing that these physical things are a short time compared to the eternal glory that awaits (2 Cor. 4:17-5:2).
2. I have put on some pounds. Even though, I could try and blame the dryer, without a doubt my clothes fit a little tighter than before. However, when I look into the spiritual mirror, I realize how much weight I have lost! I have lost the weight of hindrances and burdens that once hindered me years ago from becoming a child of God. I have lost the weight of doubt in God through His Word and thus gained more trust in Him through faith. I have the lost the weight of my past sins, through obedience and submission, to God’s Will found in His word (Heb. 12:1; Rom. 6:17,18). I continue to lose the daily weight of sin, because of the continuing power of the blood that washed away my sins in baptism, and through repentance, confession, and continuing to do my best walking as God desires, He has assured me that my sins can continue to be forgiven!
3. I am reminded that some of the new spots and blemishes that I notice are “age spots.” If you have them then you know what I mean when I say they look like small stains. Of course, there are treatments and procedures that can be purchased to help remove them, but it is part of who I am. When I look into the spiritual mirror, those “spots and stains” represent who I use to be, and there is no amount of money to have these spots removed. But thanks be to God that they no longer exist. The sins that once blotted my soul no longer exist, because of Jesus and His precious blood. Peter writes, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Pet. 1:18,19).”
4. Before heading out the door, sometimes, the mirror reveals some things that need to be straightened or wrinkles that need to be ironed out, or in my case, (the dryer). When I look into the spiritual mirror, it also reveals some wrinkles in my life! The word of God not only has the ability to reveal the wrinkles but also what needs to be done to get them ironed out. Paul wrote, “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16,17).”
5. Finally, sometimes when I look into the mirror, it reveals how tired my body feels. There are times even after a good night’s rest, that it is not reflected with look in my face and bags under my eyes. I am thankful that when I look into the spiritual mirror and am reminded of the blessings of spiritual rest in Jesus! Life is hard at times and the weights of life can be heavy, but knowing who I am in Jesus and who Jesus is in me, brings me rest. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30).”

What do you see when you look in the mirror? How much time do you spend looking into the spiritual mirror of God’s Word to see how your soul looks, compared to the mirror on the wall? Please ponder on taking time with God’s Word!