It's Not The Mirror's Fault

By: Gary L. Hutchens

   How many times have you gotten out of bed in the morning, gone into the restroom, looked in the mirror and quickly became upset with what you saw?  How many times have you put on an outfit, maybe a new one, looked in the mirror and again became upset with what was looking back at you?  Did you get angry or depressed?  Understand an important point of truth: whatever it is you don’t like about what you see in that mirror, It’s Not The Mirror’s Fault!

   There can be all kinds of reasons for the discontent we might feel over what we see when we look into a mirror, but It’s Never The Mirror’s Fault!  We can get angry enough to break that mirror, or defensive enough to remove it from the wall, but that will not change what is reflected in that mirror.  A mirror simply reflects the reality of our appearance.  The desired change cannot be accomplished by the mirror.  If we want the reflection to change we must do what needs to be done to bring about that change.  It’s not up to the mirror, it’s up to me.
   On a more philosophical scale, many people do not like what they see when they look into the mirror of their personal life.  But instead of recognizing their responsibility for that image, they see themselves as victims.  It’s not their fault, life somehow beat them down and made them the way they are. Life ruined their life!  But in virtually every case the truth is that their discontent with their life is the result of the choices they made in living their life.  If they want their life to be better they have to consciously make the changes that will make it better.  Again, It’s Not The Mirror’s Fault!
   The mirror of our spiritual life is God’s word, the Bible.  As Christians we’re supposed to be seasoning salt and shining lights (Matt. 5:13-16).  Is that what you see in your life?  People are supposed to see the love of Christ in us by the way we love our brothers and sisters in Christ (Jn. 13:34-35).  Is that what people see in you?  Our love for Jesus should be reflected through our consistent obedience to His teachings (Jn. 14:15).  Does the way you live your life reflect that obedience?
   People are supposed to see our dedication to God in our active participation in the works He has designed for us to be involved in (Eph. 2:10).  Does your life demonstrate participation in those works?  People should see Christ in our faithful, consistent Christian lifestyle (2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17).  Do they see Him in you?
   These verses of scripture, and many more, serve as a mirror for our spiritual lives.  As you take a personal look into your life through the mirror of these scriptures, what do you see?  If it’s not what you want to see, remember, It’s Not The Mirror’s Fault!…
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