It was just another ordinary trip to Costco.
You know the routine—run in for Greek yogurt and dog food and come out with a freestanding magnifying mirror. With LED light for greater definition. And 10x magnification. It sounded like a good idea at the time.
On reflection (pun intended—apologies), I’m learning much from my magnifying mirror.
It was shocking, that first peek. Glaring light, my face ten times closer. Nobody over ‘a certain age’ should ever do this unsupervised.
But we like to see our imperfections (don’t we?)—so that we can attempt to eradicate them. Pluck, conceal, moisturize, color…
“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” (James 1:23-24, NIV).
God uses this metaphor to get our attention because most of us do not suffer from instant reflection amnesia when we walk away from our mirror. Yet how often do we walk out of church after a sermon, or get on with our day after a quick ‘quiet time’ and completely forget or choose to neglect the truth God has revealed to us?
Friend, our lives are so much fuller and richer when we are not only hearers but doers of the Word. Living out the gospel in the everyday at home, in work, with our friends, in our neighborhoods—loving one another in practical ways. Being teachable, available, willing. When we study the message of Truth more diligently than we study our reflections in the mirror.
We don’t have to rely on self—we have the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. No lotions or potions, plucking or tucking required…
So, what did I learn from my mirror?
The only thing I really want to see magnified in my life is Jesus!
