Could you imagine not looking into a mirror for a whole day? Week? Month? Year??
I think we all can agree that it is safe to assume that we would look as crummy as we could only imagine.
Our hair would probably be as out-of-place as an amateur bird’s nest while our faces would be freckled with old and discolored condiments. So to prevent this, we keep pocket mirrors handy, take constant bathroom breaks, and even check our rear-view mirrors before we get out of the car.
Take a moment and think about how much time you spend looking into the mirror each day.
Personally, I only look at a mirror when I happen to cross one but when I do, I LOOK as thoroughly as possible! We sometimes become so plagued by the thoughts of being embarrassed that we constantly check on ourselves to see how we are lookin’. No one wants to be caught looking any less than what society considers acceptable or polished.
Discomfort, or a disliking brings change, right? Or at least, it should… If I look in the mirror and my hair is out-of-place, I comb it. If my eyebrows need to be smoothed down, I get to smoothin’. If I see a pimple growing, I immediately reach for my Noxema. I am sure you get my point. So my next question is: Why do we sometimes trust the mirror made out of glass more than we trust our spiritual mirror, which is the Word of God?
Your spiritual mirror is your hidden truth. What are you willing to face about yourself? God wants you be truthful with yourself about what you need to change. (Photo: iStockphoto)
Many claim it to be frightening as we trust the physical person who we see through the mirror, than the spiritual being inside of us. As we trust the world more and who we look like and claim to be in the world, then we become more hideous spiritually. This is because we are choosing not to see ourselves and who we truly should be through our spiritual mirror.
About a week or two ago I went to the grocery store to buy a few things. After spending about 15 minutes of being on the phone and glancing at each item in every isle I decided to go home before I began to buy unnecessary snacks.
I had a case of water at the bottom of my cart so when I reached the register I immediately checked with the cashier to make sure that I wouldn’t have to pick up the heavy 24 pack of water and put it on the counter. Plus, I wanted her to know there was a case under the cart so that I could pay for it. The cashier assured me that I did not have to pick up the case of water and that she could put it in the system by its code.
After paying for my items and receiving my receipt, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to look at my receipt. However, I didn’t want to look at it, because I knew exactly what the Holy Spirit was leading me to do. I hadn’t been charged for the water. I began to walk out of the grocery store as I was thinking about how I could use the extra money for gas. I only made about three steps until I took the receipt out of my pocket, and asked the cashier if she rang up the water. The cashier who appeared to be young– maybe even a college student– stated that she hadn’t charged me for the water. The cashier appeared to be half in distress about the possibility of her supervisor knowing that she had almost mistakenly “given” away merchandise.
PRESSURE AFTER PRESSURE
As a college student, I can relate to coping with the pressures of performing well at the workplace. On the other hand, she appeared to be shocked that I turned around to give what I owed. I didn’t even have to look at the receipt because I knew exactly what the issue was. I pulled out my wallet to pay for the water, partially disappointed in myself for attempting to leave without paying, but slightly happy with the fact that I took heed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the past, I never put a huge emphasis on having or gaining money, but I definitely have had a manipulative and rebellious nature about myself that would try to get over simply, because I could.
This experience was clearly a test and reminds me of the story in the Bible about Ananias and Sapphira. I read the story about Ananias and Sapphira not too long ago, so the consequences that they faced are fresh in my memory. If someone had asked me if I was a thief, or if I would lie to get something for free, then I would have said no. Which, again, is why we can’t trust our natural mirrors. Indeed, the reflection of the Word showed me something different.
Fortunately, I surrendered to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, so that I didn’t act on what I thought was most logical but rather followed the righteousness steps of the Holy Spirit. I am glad that I turned around and acknowledged the help of God. I believe as much as I constantly check in with God to see what transgressions I have made against Him, He will bring me back to this situation.
Anyone who is serious about serving the Lord will leave wherever they are, and whatever they are doing to do what is righteous as well as to be free of conviction of the Holy Spirit. To me it feels like God is tapping me on my shoulder and saying, “Hey, you told me that you want to serve me. Let me help you be righteous so that I may be pleased. Even if I have to tap you for hours and days on end, no worries because mercifully, I don’t grow weary.” Thank God for conviction.
THE DAILY ILLUSIONS OF OUR LIVES
The enemy wants one to see an illusion like the picture below. The devil will have one tricked into believing they are spiritually fit when they have been running with the devil for so long that their running patterns are synchronized with his. Even on the other extreme, Satan can have one believe that they are still struggling with something that God has dismissed out of one’s life. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44)– so why would one ever believe anything he has to say?
We cannot make justifications from our own knowledge or understanding because our carnal nature makes us vulnerable to the tricks of the enemy. This is how the mind of individuals who are wonderfully and fearfully made become distorted with corrupt thoughts that lead to disorders such as bulimia and anorexia (Psalm 139:14). Or even how individuals are quick to point out the speck in another’s eye but disregard the plank in their own eye (Matthew 7:3). Only God can and will honestly tell you how you are lookin’— by His standards and not by the standards of the world.
Don’t just reflect, reflect with a desire to change. As mentioned in a paragraph above, we must trust the reflection of the Bible even MORE than we trust the reflection of the natural mirror. When we see something unappealing in our natural mirrors, we are quick to move. Lets not act like our shoes are made out of bricks when the Word reveals spiritual misconduct. The Bible will tell you that you are a thief when the world tells you that you are only taking what is yours. The Bible will tell you that you are committing adultery when the world tells you that looking and fantasizing doesn’t hurt. And most importantly, the Bible will tell you that the only way to the Father is through the Son (John 14:6) when the world tells you that there is only one God but many avenues leading to Him.
The last example is essential in effective spiritual reflection because until recognition and acceptance regarding Christ as one’s Lord and Saviour, everything else is unobtainable.
Remember, never put trust in man or the natural things of this world because they will leave you shattered and traumatized…
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