BEYOND THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

God in His infinite wisdom created nothing that would reflect man’s physical appearance as it is. Dark, still waters are the closest thing to a mirror that God created; but even the slightest ripple distorts the image. In man’s quest to see himself, the reflected image was captured in polished stone and precious metal as early as 6000 B.C. The mirror, as we know it today, was first manufactured in the early 19^th century by a German chemist. Now, we not only have mirrors but digital stills, videos and a multitude of ways to see ourselves on display.

How many times a day do you look in the mirror? In the morning while preparing for the day, at the gym with the muscle man stance after a good workout, driving to work peeking in the rear view,  after lunch checking for broccoli in your teeth, or the side view that tells you if that extra slice of cheesecake made your tummy bulge... perhaps we look at our own image too many times to count.  Not to mention the digital media that has made our images available to us at our fingertips. Even if a mirror is not available…*SNAP* On a camera phone, we can see ourselves instantly. We spend so much time indulging in self and what we look like in comparison... Sadly enough, society says that it is right to do so. 

We live in a world that tells us it is okay to be self-centered, self-indulgent, self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-serving and just plain selfish. But if God had intended for us to be that way, He would have created us in our own image and not His! Although he formed us individually for His purposes (see Ephesians 1:4), collectively we are reflections of His greatness and creativity. Each soul that has ever breathed life in the history of mankind was created in the image of God. When God said that it is not good for man to be alone, He did not stick Adam in front of a mirror to indulge himself. God gave Adam a ministry and then created Eve, a companion and helpmate (see Genesis 2:18-25). We were not put here to be self serving, but to be of service to others.

The Bible teaches us from the beginning that we are created in the image of God, and continues to show us the picture perfect image of what we should look like…Christ!  Jesus is the perfect manifestation of God, and our actions and deeds should reflect His spirit and nature. We are called to serve one another humbly in love (see Galatians 5:13). So the next time you look in the mirror ask yourself, “Is this what God looks like?” If the answer is no, then maybe it is time to reflect and feed on His word until the image is more Him than you.

Scripture: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 NIV

Prayer: Father God we call out to you humbly asking your forgiveness for our selfish desires. Free us from our flesh and fill us with the spirit that is the reflection of your loving kindness. We praise you for creating us in your image and sacrificing your only Son for our sins.  Strengthen us where we are weak and help us to be more like you as we fight against the images the world has thrust upon us…In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read Galatians 5:13-26 to help shift the focus from self (and notice the only self mentioned is with control).