Are you Looking In a Mirror or Through a Window
Have you ever been in a house of mirrors? It can be disorienting. It can also be a bit creepy. The few times I have been in them, it’s a little dark, and frustrating. Besides, I am not too interested in looking at myself. Sometimes, though self-reflection can be positive, right? The actual check to make sure the hair is good, the clothes match, the look is together. On the metaphoric side, checking to see you are behaving in ways that are right and reflecting the right attitudes and behaviors. It is interesting In Isaiah 3:23 due to haughty attitudes, the scripture says that the mirrors will be taken away and in 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says;” we see dimly in the mirror”. It has a good purpose; it helps us to get some things straight. A mirror is a useful tool for sure. But it can also be a trap.
Some time ago at Shaver, we were having a church family picnic and play date after services on a beautiful SC Sunday! We had so much food, and the kids were playing, and it was a wonderful day. I remember thinking about how great it was. God blessed us with such a bounty that day, everyone was sharing food and laughing, it was just so awesome to be together. I recall, metaphorically, looking in the mirror and seeing the reflection of how blessed we were! How much joy and fun were in the air. The reflection was of such abundance and happiness, it was great. As I was admiring the reflection of the day, I saw a couple of children from a nearby apartment complex, going through some of the food boxes that had been discarded. In the trash cans. I thought how sad that was. I looked back in the mirror as I mentioned it to the Clarks. Still seeing the reflections of the goodness surrounding me.
Ricky looked through a window. He saw a need, an opportunity. I recall the look of concern and compassion as he and Kim quickly prepared some food from fresh containers and unopened bags and boxes and clean plates and cups for the children and fed them. The reflection in the mirror grew dim and faint. Not that the blessings of the day were diminished, but because I did not see the true blessings of serving those children.
James 1:22-25
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.
Are we content, to with counting our blessings, admiring the reflection in a mirror or are we ready to look through a window and act as the hands and feet of Christ? True blessing come not just in realizing we are blessed, but in stepping through the door and serving others!
Jesus looks through windows. He always sees opportunities, needs, open questions to answer! Who is going to heal? Who is going to love? Who is going to save? I AM! He answers.
Who is going to follow Him and be a servant? Who is going to take up the cross and deny yourself?
Who will be saved?