I was at my ladies Bible study yesterday morning, when one of the ladies shared how she had been fascinated by a full length mirror in her bedroom. She told us of how this mirror was like no other mirror she had ever stood in front of. This mirror, no matter how she was dressed, showed the perfect picture of beauty. She had no flaws; no lumps or bumps; only smoothness and beauty.
Each lady in the room wanted to visit this mirror. We all wanted to experience what our friend was experiencing. Each of us wanted to be picture perfect.
Then, as the story continued, our friend admitted she had a hand in this outcome. She shared how she had the mirror placed against the wall, on just such an angle, positioned perfectly to show the best features. She also laughingly admitted that this mirror could use a dusting; maybe then those images would not be so smooth and beautiful. She told us how she kept the lighting in the room low, so as not to bring any flaws to the foreground.
In the end, we could see how her manipulation of the mirror could easily result in her seeing what it was she desired most to see.
Pondering this, I later asked myself, how often do I do this? How often do I manipulate for an outcome that I desire? What is it about the bare truth that makes me feel uncomfortable?
The Bible tells us in John 8:32 that the truth will set us free. While we may prefer to veil the truth, it will never change what the truth is.
There is, in the core of each of us, a longing for the truth; a longing to be set free from the chains of sin. My Bible study friend knew the truth. She knew that if she moved the mirror a tad, dusted it, and brightened the lights, the picture she would then see in the mirror wouldn't be the same perfect picture she had seen prior.
God's desire is for us to live in the truth. While we may not be perfect, we are his. He loves us and desires that we allow him to shape us, to mold us, to become more like Jesus. As I come to him each morning, I am aware that this is a brand new day; his mercies are new every morning. I have today, a brand new opportunity to serve and grow to become more like him. And I ask myself, isn't this better than masking the truth? Isn't this a better alternative: to be able to begin again; fresh and new each morning?
Today, ask the Lord how he would have you remove your mask. Live in his light;live in truth.
John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Amen.
Ponder this, I to often do this. Unfortunately, manipulating the outcome of that of my desires (my sinful nature) of masking the truth, therefore, intervening in God's desired outcome for me. Ending result; sin and in need of forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this.