Mirror(abridged version)

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

Well if you're a Christian the "Fairest" is Jesus.(Fairest Lord Jesus)  I know that most people, including Christians don't think that right off the bat, however an interesting thought occurred to me this morning. But let me give you a little background set up first.

Set up

There's this woman I know who at first was not someone I took an immediate liking to.  It's not that this person isn't likable.  She has lots of things going for her.  A classic and elegant beauty with the poise of Miss America.  Very intelligent and talented.  Relates well to both genders. You couldn't imagine a more perfect woman on paper. Throw in cooking and that's a deal you can't walk away from. Nevertheless, all these things didn't win me over. I really just thought this girl was a spoiled, obnoxious, loud, albeit very gifted, brat. Harsh? I might concede that, but that's what I thought from first impression and brief encounters.

It wasn't till I actually started hanging around her a little more recently that I noticed a change in her. (So I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover) When I began working with her, my attitude toward her completely changed. What I began to see in her was a passion and desire for the glory of God.  Instead of seeing all the external things that I thought she was made up of, I saw "rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38) It's when I began to see a heart burdened for the transformation of lives and the desire to know Jesus more intimately that my view of bratty little girl changed to beautiful woman. (Do they see Jesus in me?)

The Point

So here's the point.  As followers of Christ, we are supposed to become more and more like Christ as we obediently walk in relation with Jesus.  Life transformation occurs as a result of our teacher the Holy Spirit working in us. (Acts 14:16;26)  Our transformed lives should be reflections of Christ Himself, so that our lives direct others to Jesus. (Philippians 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 3)

The way to become mirrors that reflect Jesus is to make Jesus the focus of our gaze.  Think about it.  What you see in a mirror is whatever the mirror is pointed at.  In our lives, if our focus is on money, looks, or talent then that's what our lives reflect.  But why is that bad?  Are those things inherently evil? No, they aren't.  However, when our focus are on those things we are making a decision.  In most cases when our focus are on these external things it's because we are seeking to please ourselves.  Our goal ultimately is temporary self-fulfillment in perishable things.  That kind of sucks.  Wealth can be easily lost, beauty fades away, and the body decays.

"Don't be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God.  You will always harvest what you plant.  Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."
Galatians 6:7-8


The only lasting fulfillment in life comes from making our focus Jesus Christ.  Then all those side items will fall into place.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33


So you want to be the Fairest in the Land?  Focus your gaze on the Fairest of All and what others will see is Jesus in you.

The Cap

The twist in all of this is that as we focus our gaze on Christ and begin to more clearly reflect His beauty, we also become more aware of other people who reflect Jesus.  That's how a person who on the outside is perceived as the ideal woman can be ignored.  Because really in the end all those external things will fade and a relationship built on tremulous foundations is bound for failure.  If however, you begin building on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, the Rock, the relationship will be built strong.  Instead of seeking, "all these things," seek first the kingdom.  

So when you meet a person like the one described above...the ideal mate, all those other things are icing on the cake.  When you meet a person who turns your attention toward the glory and grace of the Lord, hey that one's a keeper!