Mirror

James 1:22-25

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.

Mirrors.  They must have been around for a long time, since in this passage of Scripture James references them.  I guess that as humans, we have always liked looking at ourselves!  It’s nice to look into a mirror and see something that pleases us…our clothes fitting well, a good hair day, a few pounds gone, no wrinkles.  But, there are many times when we may see things that aren’t quite to our liking.  More on that later.

I remember a night in November last year when Spencer Christian Church brought the church to our house.  They came one evening…car after car into our neighborhood.  They stood outside our bedroom window and sang worship songs for Rick and our family…because he was unable to go to them.  Rick had been confined to his bed for several days at that point.  We sat him up in the bed and propped him up with pillows so he could see everyone and talk to them.  At the end of our bed on the other side of the room is a closet with mirror doors.  After we sat Rick up and got him adjusted, he sat for a moment just looking at himself in the mirror at the other end of his room.  Not saying anything for a few minutes he finally said, “so that’s what I look like now.”  My heart broke for him.  I hadn’t even thought to give him a mirror during those days so he could look at himself…stay connected to what he looked like.  Something so simple as a mirror…yet something so necessary to our well-being.

In the above passage, James compares the Word of God to a mirror.  A mirror serves two purposes.  A mirror REFLECTS and REVEALS.   As we look into the mirror, our image will be reflected back to us.  We see a true image of what we are.  James says that the Word of God can be a “perfect” mirror for us.  He encourages us to look “intently” into it.  Look into it and linger there…take a deep look…look with a purpose in mind.

After looking intently…we are faced with the next challenge of the mirror.  When we look at our reflection in the mirror…that mirror will begin to reveal things to us.  I may be faced with some things that are not pleasant to see…I may need a haircut, a shave, my clothes may be stained, I may look once again at a nose I think is too big for my face, wide hips, skinny legs, a sick body.  These are all physical things that are easy to see in a real mirror.  Most of these things can be fixed…sometimes not so much.  The mirror of the Word reveals things entirely different.  It reveals things to us that cannot be seen with the physical eye.  When we look intently into the mirror of the Word it may reveal things such as…a stubborn heart, bitterness that has taken away my smile, an unforgiving spirit, a hidden sin that I pray stays hidden, a tongue that is out of control, eyes that gaze at sin daily, hands that are selfish, and feet that are quick to walk into sin.  When I allow the Word to do it’s revealing work, I am faced with a choice.  That revealing Word will give me the responsibility and freedom to do the right thing…replace unforgiveness with forgiveness, control my tongue, choose wisely what I will look at, learn to give and not just take, and be quick to walk with the Lord and not away from Him.  When the reflecting and revealing work of the Word has accomplished it’s purpose in my life the result is this…James 1:25b  He will be blessed in what he does. I will begin to experience real blessing.

My concept of blessing is changing…changing into what God defines blessing to be.  Not money, wealth, things,  vacations, cars, health, travel, friends.  But, rather spiritual blessings.  Becoming more like Jesus…allowing the mirror of His Word to do a work on the inside of me.  I am realizing more and more just how much work there is to be done. It  can be painful to look into His mirror…but out of suffering comes joy. He invites us to take a look.  We will see things there that are good…and some that are bad.   Keep reflecting and revealing Lord…may we each be willing to see our true image as you reveal it to us…in your grace and mercy.  And may we be willing to do the work necessary to change.

I have a special request.  Could you please pray for our family this weekend – especially Saturday, July 24th at 7:00 pm.  Jacob and Jenni will be getting married then and as wonderful as it is, it will also be difficult for us.  Not having Rick here to witness this special day will be very emotional for us. Before his death, he did not get off the phone with Jacob without praying for God to send him his mate for life.  His prayers are being answered and we are so excited about the day!  Pray for joy unspeakable and hearts that are full…good weather (the wedding is outside)…and no tears.  We want to sense Rick’s presence but we want to stay in the moment and enjoy what God has done.

Sending much love,

Debbie

This entry was written on July 22, 2010 at 12:26 am