Face to face, almost touching. Inches away, eyes staring straight into me. I want to look away. I want to hide. And then I realize it’s me. Standing in front of a mirror looking into my own eyes.
What do I see? What do I feel when I look in a mirror? I mean really look in a mirror. A mirror that reflects not only my outer appearance but the deep places of my heart. What do I see?
Examining ourselves is difficult, uncomfortable and sometimes painful however it is a part of our walk with the Lord. It is a must. We must be willing to let God reveal our hearts to us.
What do you see today when you look in the mirror? Are you where God wants you to be? Serving? Loving? Giving?
Somedays when I look at myself I am disappointed. I see my impatience toward my family. My envy in relationships. An auto-pilot Christianity moving me through the day. Can you relate? Do you have moments when God opens up your heart and you see…really see?
We can put the makeup on. Go to church. Sing in the worship band. Bring food to the hurting. Read and pray yet under all of that is a heart stale, numb, going through the motions.
Are we willing to let God show us that? Are we willing to give God full reign in our hearts? To do demolition and cleanup?
I battle emotions deep in my heart. Emotions of frustration, pride, bitterness. While these emotions find their way in I do not want them to stay. I have tasted something sweeter, something better and I am willing to lay down these feeling for the best God has for me.
Are you willing? Will you let go of whatever you are hanging on to?
Let go. Then look in the mirror again. Do you see something different in those eyes inches from your face? Is it good? Was it worth the letting go?
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. NLT
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ESV
Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. NKJV
Psalm 139:1-3 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ESV
Galatians 6:4-5 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. NLT
I want to look good to others. After all, I’m suppose to be an example of Christ living in me. The truth is, I was born a sinner, I repented, I am forgiven, and I’m a work in progress. The Holy Spirit has come to live within me to search me and test me and point out what still needs to be cleaned up. God is looking for humble children who are willing to surrender and grow and change to become more like Jesus. Help me, Lord, to get my focus off myself and what others think of me and listen to your voice within my heart.