Facing the mirror

The interesting thing about this time of isolation & retreat is that we are faced with ourselves.  More time than we've had in a long time, apart from those who are still working away from home through this season (heroes). 

There is often the tendency in life to avoid the mirror. Looking inwards & facing the reality of who we are, alone, is not something many people like to do. We like to keep busy.  But it seems we have no choice but to finally strip back the distractions & look straight into the mirror of our lives.  

I know a girl who used to be in our youth group (years ago) who admitted she could never be alone.  She would go to extreme lengths to make sure someone was with her so she didn't have to face the reality of her own thoughts.  Hers was a complex case, but I think at times we can sometimes run from our heart-cry.  

Those whispers that keep us up at night...  

James 1:24 talks about the man who looks at himself in the mirror, and then he leaves, forgetting straight away what he looks like.  This is likened to reading the Word, then instantly forgetting it when we walk out the door.   

The truth is - whatever you are afraid to discover & face is not too big for God to handle.  

You are never alone - even in a pandemic.

Pruning a tree is harsh, but the end result is fruitfulness & beauty.  So facing the mirror head on, staring down fears, admitting to yourself (& God) your limitations, checking your heart, allowing yourself to 'go deep' as you journal you thoughts.... this is the path of freedom & fruitfulness.

I came across a beautiful verse in Psalms that speaks about the HOPE we have no matter what comes our way.  We can rest peacefully knowing that His love surrounds us - always.

When we look in the mirror we see our own reflection, but our natural eyes are limited to the natural.  Spiritually we are looking face to face with the most incredible creation.  We are made 'in the likeness' of the Creator of the universe.  We have hope.

We are perfect in His perfection...  

"We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our Hope & our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy name.  Let your unfailing love surround us Lord,  For our hope is in You alone."  Psalm 33:20-22

While there is breath in our lungs - no matter what age we are - there is hope for an incredible future.

Our hope is not in ourselves & what we bring to the table.  We face the mirror, acknowledge our need for Him, then leave holding onto our anchor (the Word of God) to face the day, even if we're not venturing out too far from home. :)

               

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27