Reflection

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 someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25 NIV 

As a little girl born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I was raised by my single mother.  By the time I was seven years old, we had moved eight times and covered five different states.  When we finally settled in Georgia in the summer before my 3^rd grade year, my mom made every effort to make our little house feel like a forever home.  I specifically remember one picture that she hung on my bathroom wall.  It was a Precious Moments poster she had framed that portrayed a little girl looking into a mirror with the words that read, “When in the mirror of His love I look at my reflection, I accept myself for who I am with all my imperfections.” In elementary school, I certainly didn’t know the depth of those simple words, but now looking back, as years wore on, they would forever be written on my heart. 

What do you see when you look into a mirror?  What reflection stares back at you?  Do you embody beauty, joy, and hope; or does the reflection expose past regrets, anguish, or fear? Take a moment to think about the numerous times we daily see our own reflections with all our imperfections.  Upon rising in the morning, we begin our day in front of a mirror, getting ready to present our best self to an imperfect world, and before bed, we most likely see our reflections one last time as we brush our teeth and fall back into bed, only to begin this cycle all over again. While as believers, it is important to care for the temporary tents God has entrusted us with this side of Heaven, we also need to reflect His light by our daily living.  We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

We can spend countless hours taking care of our body– feeding it, clothing it, grooming it; but how much time are we taking to honor God by feeding it the Bread of Life, clothing it in Truth, or adorning it with the Full Armor of God?  We were created in God’s image.  According to Genesis 1:27 NLT, we read, “So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” From the beginning of Creation, God fashioned us in His likeness.  But how do we, as His own handiwork, reflect him?   Do our mirrors focus on our own imperfections that are either visible or internalized? Or do we hunger to know Him intimately and see our reflections through His perfect love since we were created in His image? 

In 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT, we read, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”  My friends, the Lord knows us COMPLETELY!  We are His creation.  He knows all of our imperfections but loves us compassionately.  He desires us to use our imperfections as testimonies of His healing Hands and forgiving nature.  Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing we do can withhold His relentless pursuit.  And one day, when we are face to face with Him in Heaven, we will fully comprehend His overwhelming love.  

The dictionary defines reflection as, “The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.” I don’t know about you, but I want to redefine that definition and pursue the Lord so intently while on this earth that I continuously absorb His Word and reflect His light before men so that I no longer focus on my own imperfections, but rather on the Perfecter of our faith!   Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off EVERYTHING that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” (emphasis added).  The challenge we face is dying to our own selfish desires in order to fix our eyes on the One who can bring true freedom!  This world is not our eternal address as believers.  Heaven awaits us with all of its perfection.  Does your reflection lead others to the same destination?  I would love to encourage you to immerse yourself daily into the living and transforming Word of God so that your life can be a beautiful reflection of your Creator.   

Recently, I sold that childhood home after my mom had gone to be with Jesus.  And although the Precious Moments picture was no longer on the wall of the bathroom, the mirror still echoed loudly.  As I looked at myself almost fifty years later, time had changed my reflection.  Lines from life’s experiences were prominently realized on my face, and my hair was now sprinkled with “wisdom.”  But I still remember those simple words in that frame.  I now understand that we are all imperfect souls on a journey to our Heavenly Father, and if we meditate on His Word and allow it to penetrate beyond our eyes and ears, we have the privilege of then reflecting the image of the One who can change the reflections of others as well. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your relentless pursuit.  Thank You for being our Perfecter of Faith and taking our imperfections and using them for Your glory.  May we all be completely transformed in You and reflect Your overwhelming love in a world so desperately in need of healing that only You can provide.  Satisfy our thirst with Your living water, and may we, Your vessels, abundantly overflow.  Selah! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.