Saturday, July 30, 2011

Mirror/Reflection

Appearances are not held to be a clue to the truth.  But we seem to have no other.  ~Ivy Compton-Burnett

Reflections are tricky things. It honestly all depends on the medium we use.

If we chose to seek our reflection through the smooth surface of a body of water, we will find that we look more than different...

...distorted features, easily broken by a dropped pebble or the touch of a finger. 

What if we pursue a less easily disturbed method of vision, such as a polished piece of mirrored glass, or even a storefront windowpane?

...dirt and grime can thwart our purpose, and we may not even understand or enjoy what we see. 

For so many, reflections are our greatest enemy. 

In them, we do not see our greatness or our beauties. Instead, we bring emphasis to our multiple flaws and microscopically examine ourselves to yet another detriment to our self-esteem and self-worth.

I am not what the mirror says I am. 

Seeking our only reflection in any sort of clear surface is nothing if not dangerous...heart-breaking...discouraging.

We need to stop looking down into puddles to catch a glimpse of what we think we are...

...we need to gaze upward toward what He knows we are. 

Our reflections on this earth are dim and deceitful. 

It is in Him that we see ourselves in truth...

...beautiful, precious, beloved daughters and sons.

When the world sees me, they should see Him.

I want to stop looking into the dim mirrors of this mortal plane.

I want to become a clear, shining reflection of His glory.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. ~1 Corinthians 13:12

(Don't forget -- today is the last day to enter July's Inspired Monthly Giveaway! Giveaway closes at midnight CST.) 

3 comments:

  1. mmm...so true. a friend once said to me that she hoped that someday i would be able to see myself through Jesus eyes. my eyes don't see that well most times. they're kind of deceitful, actually. i need to remind myself that i can't trust them. and not only do i want to look at myself through Jesus eyes, but i want to always see others through His eyes too.

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  2. Beautiful post!! I also so longingly desire to be a reflection of Jesus Christ. Today a woman at a cash register in Macy's asked me if I went to a Christian Acadamey out of the blue! It suprised me, but in a good way. I was glad to think a complete stranger thought I went to a Christian school (even if I had to disappoint her and tell her I was homeschooled).
    Amazing post. You have such a way with words!

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  3. @Rachel: That is something I so strive for in my own life. There is truly so much self-doubt that I carry, so much awful self-shaming that I am so quick and apt to do. I want to see what He sees, which I know is so very different than what my feeble mortal eyes can behold.

    @Kimberly: What a blessing! Thanks so much for your sweet words. <3

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I look at you and see all the ways a soul can bruise, and I wish I could sink my hands into your flesh and light lanterns along your spine so you know there's nothing but light when I see you. :: Shinji Moon