Mirror Image

The mirror. This simple object (a glass pane inside a frame) is looked into countless times a day; comes in various shapes, colors, and sizes, and just about everyone has one, in at least five rooms of their house. What is so fascinating about the mirror? Even from infancy, there is usually one right above the dresser in the nursery. Miss Baby-girl coos over her reflection and the discovery of eye-contact. As she grows, so does the size and quantity of mirrors she owns. Every glance in the glass reaffirms her pros and cons, and with a quick brush and shining of gloss, she has numerously more pros, until the next time she returns.

So, what is my point? We give ample awareness to mirrors, and even more to the reflection. And why? We want to hold ourselves accountable for our appearances, perhaps. We want to know what everyone else sees, or we want to analyze the good and the ‘less-than-par’, with the intention of change. This routine seems to be in the unwritten handbook of being a girl, and comes very naturally, with me as no exception. Now are mirrors bad? No. They are neutral. Is the excess time spent in the mirror considered bad? Well, let me put it this way. Consider the bathroom mirror. There is usually a sink below it. Before the AM coffee is brewed, there is a morning stare-down with your reflection. Then with a dose of sink water, the washing takes place, and a more satisfying image looks back at you. Does this daily ritual remind you of anything? To me, it almost seems as if I am making a sacrifice to myself. I have the fatted calf (which I can relate to most mornings) and I have an alter (the basin). After a determined washing, I am then pleased with what has occurred. So am I then treating myself as an idol every time I look into the mirror for approval? Not exactly, but it’s something to consider anyhow. (And praise the Lord we no longer need these sacrifices, because Jesus paid it all!) But maybe a comparison is warranted between the times we spend seeking self-approval compared to seeking God’s approval.

The way we view a mirror is similar to the way we view the Bible. The more time we spend gazing and searching every detail, the clearer and more familiar It becomes. But when we neglect His Word, for hours or days, we become a downright mess. Our shameful condition is even more evident the next time we see how much farther from perfection we allowed ourselves to become. If we keep our visits with the Bible (the Mirror to being in God’s image) few and far apart, we eventually say, “Oh well. It’s too late now; I have let myself go, and I might as well let it continue to happen.” We then become the person we spent so much time avoiding to be! Constantly exploring God’s Word will help you mature beautifully and gracefully. This routine may seem time-consuming at first, but we must remember WHO deserves the majority of our time in the first place! Soon His wisdom will settle naturally (and we’ll lose a few wrinkles of confusion on our burrowed foreheads.) Balance your priorities, making God as Number One, and you will not go asunder (like broken glass). Consider how much you desire to be Christ-like, and take the necessary steps to becoming a more distinct image of God. This process takes viewing the Scriptures with your eyes, to living in such a way others will see Him reflected in your life.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” [James 1:22-25]

Faith's Hall of Fame

I was amazed to read Hebrews chapter 11 the other day. As you may know, I'm married to my best friend and I wouldn't ask for anyone else. But married life can be a battle... and I am not even talking about the actual people involved. Does bills, bills, bills, and more bills ring a bell for anyone? ;) It's hard not to covet sometimes when others have nice things in their married life. But, alas, they are just temporal things. We have been provided for, nonetheless, and I am grateful. Together we are growing in this attitude called "contentment." It takes faith to trust that God will carry us through this union and have peace every step of the way. This chapter lists several "Heroes of Faith" who have more than accomplished great trust in the Lord. And several of these heroes knew that they would never even see God's great rewards on Earth (Christ's coming) and yet, they kept the faith. "And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us..." [Hebrews 11:39,40] So maybe these heroes did not have the biggest house, car, or family (temporal values) but they DID have faith (eternal value) that was greatly rewarded the moment they entered Heaven. A friend mentioned a valuable point: whose name would be written in this chapter today? Could yours even be in the running?

Faith is an amazing characteristic of the Christian. It is so complex, yet so simple; so hard, yet so easy. The only thing preventing us from this faith we desire is "us". Picture a house with two rooms. You are in one room and there is a reward in the other room; that reward is a glittering abundance of peace. Do we cry out in joy that it's only a few steps away? No. We find complaints in having to walk over, instead of it coming to us. Let's say there is a wall dividing the two rooms. That wall is blocking our view of the reward, although we are still fully aware that it's right there. We can see the bright reflections on the wall sparkling away, but we stay-put complaining about the effort it will take to make the trip. And in that case, the reward will always be just a room away.

Faith does not automatically saturate our minds. We first need to leap for it. Many take that jump, and just moments later stop, falling into the cracks below. This reminds me of how Peter was amazed to walk on water (although he had asked for this to happen), just to look down, let the flesh sink in, and he followed suit seconds later. With a big gulp, others make their greatest long jump and hang in there until landing on their strong foundation.

While sailing, you are to look at a specific point across the lake, to assure you are going straight. Same with faith. Keeping our eyes focused on God will keep us on the straight and narrow. When we do leap and land, perhaps the next time we are more willing to take a running start, trusting even more that God will carry us and catch us. The cracks we are required to leap over may turn to canyons, and seem impossible to cross. Well they are, that is, without the actual Cross carrying us along.

"And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." [Mat.14:28-33]

A Proper Introduction

This is my first real blog. (I know, I know, where have I been?!) I used to blog a little, but I lost touch with giving my personal experiences in a public light. But lately, I've decided that I can do so, with the hope that I will encourage someone else.

Writing is a dear hobby in my life. My childhood was saturated with youthful journalism, stories, poems, and song lyrics. "Become an author" has been engraved on my to-do list for quite a few years now. This may be the closest I ever come to doing so, but that is fine. There are several ways I can incorporate that dream into my everyday life, without it being my actual profession. We can choose a "wilderness" attitude or a "Promise Land" attitude about life. I am blessed to teach English at a homeschool co-op, which keeps my writing motors tuned. Since I am a Christian, and have a BA in English-Literary studies, then I might as well do something that complements these two aspects of my life... and you are now reading this mixture. I hope it keeps your eyes and mind pondering!