Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

James 1:22-25
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.

Ugh! It's 7:00 in the morning and the face staring at me in the mirror is not the face I want to present to others that day. In fact, nothing I see there is good enough to show to the world. There's work to be done! So I head for the shower and then I spend ever so much time getting cleaned up, shaped up, and made up in order to make myself presentable. It's off with the sleepwear and on with garments suitable for the task of the day. Finally I emerge from the bathroom feeling much more arranged and ready to see the world. Or should I say, ready for them to see me!

Today I'm reminded by the words of the Apostle James that God's Word is like a mirror that shows me myself as I am. When I look into it and see myself for what I really am, I have two choices. I can either walk away and forget about what I saw and the changes I need to make, or I can do the work necessary to change my life to be what God longs for me to be. Old attitudes, harmful habits, and sinful desires all need to be removed and replaced with the garments of Christlikeness. This work is a process and it won't happen all at once, but I must do what I can today. Then will I know God's blessing and will experience the fullness of His love, joy and peace.

Heavenly Father, as I read and study Your Word, speak to me by Your Spirit. Show me where I need to change and what needs to be adjusted to make my life more like the image of Christ. Empower me by your Spirit to do the necessary work, step by step, so that others may see Him reflected in me.

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2006

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Related articles and devotionals:
God's Requirements
Better or Bitter
Encourage One Another

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Changes That Heal: How to Understand Your Past to Ensure a Healthier Future By Dr. Henry Cloud / Zondervan In Changes That Heal, Dr. Cloud takes the reader step-by-step through the four basic tasks of becoming mature image bearers of God. They are: Bonding to others, Separating from others, Sorting out good and bad in ourselves and others, and Becoming an adult. Dr. Cloud not only explains and describes each task, he also identifies the problems that result when we fail to accomplish that task, and he shows us what changes to make in our lives in order to bring about healing.