Warped Mirrors

Why do we all have mirrors in our bathrooms? They don’t compromise. They don’t gloss over our defects and tell us we’re better-looking than we really are. They show us every wrinkle and every gray hair. As unpleasant as it may be to confront our own faces first thing in the morning, we know that if we don’t take a look at ourselves, and make some major adjustments, the rest of the world is going to see that morning face!

I figure, it’s better to “face” the truth, so we can make the changes we think are necessary to make ourselves presentable to the rest of the world. If we are going to be all that God wants us to be, then we must be able to have a clear vision of which we are and what needs to change in our life.

My side view mirror has been crackled for the last few weeks. Instead of replacing it, I procrastinated fixing it. I have been driving around for weeks with a cracked view of the world. The things is though, I got used to seeing this reflection. So much, when I replaced it with a brand new mirror, it was very difficult for me to discern the image I was seeing in the mirror.

That’s when I began to realize that all of us look at life in slightly different ways. All based on the quality of the mirror and the damage that has occurred over time. We each see things differently because we are seeing a reflection of who we think we are. But where is that reflection coming from? What kind of mirror are we looking into? Is your mirror cracked?

In Corinthians it says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face now I know in part; but then shall I know fully just as I also have been fully known." None of us can see ourselves as clearly as we should, but there are some people who don’t see much at all.

Some people look at themselves, at their image, as though they were looking into a very tiny mirror. You know the mirror I’m talking about. Every woman seems to have one in their purse. I have looked at my own life at times through a tiny mirror. You fix a little something here. You cover up a little something there. And if you can’t fix it or cover it up you move the mirror away so you won’t have to look at anymore.

If were honest about that image that we think were covering up and is seen not only by God but by those around us. Sometimes we think we are hiding something very well, that others see so very clearly. It isn’t that we can’t get a bigger or better mirror. It’s that we have become comfortable with the false image and maybe we have even convinced ourselves that we are fine just the way we are.

Have you ever been into the house of mirrors at a carnival? I remember going to every mirror and would make all kinds of different poses and stick my tongue out and watch it get so long that it looked like it touched the floor. Have you been there?

Some of the mirrors make you look like you are much taller than you really are. Have you ever let your image be warped into thinking you are better than someone else? I have. You let yourself become much taller in your own eyes than they really are.

Then there are the small mirrors, those who look into a warped mirror and see an image of themselves; that is much shorter than it truly is. People who use this mirror to see themselves often believe that they can never be special.

To them, every silver lining has a dark cloud. Their lack of faith is evident because they can never trust God or believe God for anything.
I have looked through this mirror also. Sometimes we look through this mirror when we are stressed, depressed or wondering why God would ever use a sinner like me. We need to quit looking at these warped mirrors and see ourselves the way that God sees us.

We need to look into the perfect mirror of God’s Word and gain spiritual power from the Words written there. We need to look into a perfect mirror to see the real person that we are. The only perfect mirror is the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. The perfect image is Jesus. We need to look into a perfect mirror to see the real person the real image.

James tells us how to look in the mirror, "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…And he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was."

We must compare ourselves only to the image of Jesus Christ.

Only a perfect mirror can give you a perfect image.

Job Opportunities Available

When it comes to our career, most of us have our dream job and then we have our real job. How did you end up in the career choice that you made? Would you describe yourself as being happy with that choice? Have you ever considered the link between your work and how that impacts your walk with Christ? Are you searching for work? Your job is a big deal to God.

In talking with a few people that are unemployed this weekend, I heard something that really alarmed me. Most of these people were doing everything they believe possible to find employment. Most of these people turned down work that was either beneath them or not enough money to pay the bills.

A year ago, I was unemployed and disabled. I thought that I couldn’t work because of my disability and therefore didn’t qualify for any position. I volunteered my butt off at church and around the community to keep myself busy. Because of my heart of service, God sent work to me even though I didn’t think I was looking.

My Church offered me a job, part time, in maintenance and the staff bent over backward to keep me within the limits of my requirements for Disability. In other words, I could keep receiving my benefits from the government and work for pay. What a great opportunity which I jumped on immediately.

Now, let me explain something. Since I was 17, I always knew that I had a special aptitude for Computers. My Mom actually gave me the inspiration and passion for technology. For 20+ years I have been working in the computer field and my degree is in Software Engineering.

So, why did I take a job that involved cleaning bathrooms and setting up rooms for events? God told me too, that’s why. I had absolutely no idea what he intended for me but I wasn’t going to tell God ‘NO’. Apparently God wanted me working and may or may not reveal to me why. I will say this, everyone I worked with at the Church were very supportive and I learned quite a bit while I was there.

But….I was let go. I could have done a few things as a result of being let go. I could have got upset and left the Church…angry. I could have put a chip on my shoulder and spoke against the staff of the church. What I did do was, change my mind and Thank God for the things I learned as a staff member.

A week later I was offered a position with a Christian Software company and the rest is just pure joy. I currently work for a great company and have been provided not only financial peace but also a great and joyful working environment. Why? God is good…all the time!

My point with this story is this, “If God Knocks on your door…ANSWER IT!” It may be the backdoor, side door or even a window! ANSWER IT!

It may not be the best job in the world but who are you to limit God and what he is trying to provide you. How do you know where this job may possibly lead? Maybe God is giving you this job to point them towards God’s love? Maybe he is giving you this job to teach you.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph was a shepherd and then a slave. Yet, God rose him up! God rose Joseph the slave up to be the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Of course, Joseph went through a few awful jobs and even prison. Joseph never turned his eyes away from God though. Joseph new God had a bigger plan for him.

Colossians 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The implication of this verse is clear: as a Christian, it is much more important HOW you do what you do to earn a living than that it is WHAT you do to earn a living. We have this unfortunate practice of attributing greater worth to some people because of the job that they hold. We also tend to look down on people who serve in jobs we may not fully appreciate. The truth of the matter – any job you hold may be transformed when you view it as a way to serve the Lord and glorify God in whatever it is that you do.

Whatever work you do, think of it as God wants to show His greatness by using our Nothingness. Mother Teresa described her life in being God’s Pencil. The pencil is useless without the Masters hand guiding it.

Let God write your life’s work!