Do you ever have a day when God seems to use an object to teach you a lesson? I had one of those starting with my quiet time early this morning.
My day has been focused on mirrors.
from pottery barn
I have spent time looking at mirrors, thinking about mirrors, and mentally designing cute mirrors as I am making decision for our bathroom remodel.
I have never been a big fan of looking at myself. For years, I didn't even own a floor length mirror and if I wanted to see how an outfit looked from head to toe, I had to stand on the toilet to get a better look.
Brad finally fastened one to the back of the closet door and I highly recommend that! I have since learned more about the difference proportions can make in an outfit and that mirror has come in handy.
pottery barn
I notice though when I look in a mirror, I rarely focus on my whole face.
Eyebrows, yes.
Eyelashes, yes.
Cheeks. Bangs. Earrings. Yes.
But seldom do I take a good look at the whole picture. And I am bad about never checking how I look again once I am out the door for the day.
When I do catch a glimpse (especially in the car visor), I am often shocked and a little dismayed.
I have an image in my head of what I look like, but when I look in a mirror, I see someone different.
Someone with a few more wrinkles,
a brown spot or two,
hair that has gone flat, and lips with not a bit of color left.
Someone not nearly as "put together" as I'd like.
What does all this have to do with God?
This was my scripture this morning....
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard , but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does."
James 1:22-25
I have read this scripture many, many times before, but this morning was like the first time I really "got" it. I don't want to be a person who looks in the mirror, but can't remember what she looks like.
Ballard Design
Or the person who reads the scripture, but never allows it to get from her head to her heart so that it changes her from the inside out.
I want to "see" myself the way I am and the way I CAN BE if I am open to the transformation of the Holy Spirit.
I want to be blessed in what I do and grab the abundant life Jesus came to give me.
If you are like me and the mirror isn't really your friend anymore, will you take a deep breath with me, look in the mirror of scripture, and pray to see things clearly?
