“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

Mirror Image

When I look in the mirror each morning, I know what I am going to see. I use the mirror to help me decide how I want to fix my hair and make-up that day. I consider if I like the outfit I have chosen. I stay in front of the mirror until I am satisfied with my appearance. Then I walk away from the mirror without a second thought.

There are people in my life who have earned the right to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). These are trusted Christian mentors, close friends, family. When one of these people tells me something about myself that I was not aware of, (or maybe I was aware of it but deliberately chose not to look at that part of myself), it feels like they have thrust a mirror in front of my face. I am forced to see something that I do not want to see. THIS type of mirror has sharp edges that seem to poke painfully at my heart as I see what is reflected there. But it is not intended to hurt me; it is intended to remove something ugly, as cleanly as possible.

I then have a choice. I can humbly let the LORD work on this flaw, or I can cover that ugly mirror (ugly because of what it reflects, not because of what it is) below my sphere of conscious thought.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6 NIV).

According to the Bible, the people who only tell us what we think we want to hear are actually our enemies.

Sometimes you are the one who has to be that friend to say that thing. If you are truly doing it in love and concern, it is not an easy task.

But do you know what? None of us is like Jesus yet. We can’t be because we have not seen Him. The best we can figure out about Jesus is still just a dim reflection. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”  (1 John 3:2 NIV).

When you know better, you do better. So keep knowing and doing better and better, and do not give up in your process of being made holy. Your struggle for freedom and beauty is encouraging to the women around you who are silently watching, and checking their own reflections.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You never give up on us in this process of making us just like Jesus. Help us to look more like Him each day. In Your name, Amen!