Mirror, Mirror

"But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he/she is like a man/woman who looks very carefully at his/her natural face in a mirror; for once he/she has looked at himself/herself and gone away, he/she immediately forgets what he/she looked like. But he/she who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he/she will be blessed and favored by God in what he/she does [in his/her life of obedience]" (James 1:22-25, Amp).

How many times a day do we look in a mirror? We check our hair, face, make-up, perform touch ups, make adjustments, admire our outfit for the day, sigh with disgust or satisfaction, and then decide whether or not we are ready to face the day's challenges. At times we are critical of what we see reflected in the mirror of our own image. Then when in your car, do you take another glance at yourself to see if the previous image has changed? Do you then check your car's mirrors to see where you are going and if the coast is clear for moving on? Mirrors are objects that we have placed much value on whether or not we have realized it. Have you spent any time realizing that what should be reflected in your mirror is the very image of Christ?

"So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Gen. 1:27, Amp).

" We are made in the likeness of God" (James 3:9b, ESV).

In the first chapter of the book of James, we are encouraged to be "doers" of the word and not just hearers of the word. We are to internalize the meaning of God's word so that we will know the truth and not delude ourselves by unsound reasoning that is contrary to the truth. He goes on to say that if we only listen to the word and not obey it, we are like a person looking carefully into a mirror then walking away and immediately forgetting what they look like. When this happens, they are not truly reflecting the Light of the Lord. A true reflection of God is our shining purpose that cannot be forgotten. His word is to be known by us and implanted in our hearts. He chose us to be representatives of Jesus, so go and reflect the Light of Jesus today everywhere you go, you won't need a mirror for that! You are a beautiful reflection of the One who created you to reflect Jesus. The next time you glance in a mirror, look for the reflection of Christ Jesus.

Lord, may we be true reflections of Jesus everywhere we go. Thank You for reminding us that we must be doers of Your word so we may be true reflections of Jesus for the world to see. Thank You for creating us uniquely in Your image. Give us strength as we bear Your image everywhere we go and for all of those we come in contact with. We honor, bless, and love You, Father. In Jesus' mighty, beautiful reflection, we pray. Amen.