The Watchman's Diary

The mirror is a wonderful invention that has withstood the test of time. Afterall, it is a product of the refining process of fire. It has long been in demand and continues to be a popular product globally. The mirror serves many purposes, and if used for its intended purpose, can facilitate much good. We use the mirror to see around a hidden curve on a narrow street. We use the mirror to see what is approaching from behind so we can avoid a collision. We use the mirror to avoid embarrassing hygiene or fashion failures. We use the mirror to reflect light in dark places. We even use the mirror for decorative purposes. We most often use the mirror before, and after getting dressed to leave the home. The amount of time we spend before the mirror varies for each of us.

Have you ever stared too long into the mirror, without blinking? You will notice your reflection will start to get distorted. Sometimes the longer we spend staring at ourselves in the mirror, the more imperfections we find.  Aiming for that perfect image can reveal even more distortions than were initially apparent. On the other hand, just glancing at ourselves can cause us to miss significant details that, if not corrected, may ruin our whole day. 

While standing before it, the mirror reflects our image and what is behind us. The reality of what is behind us will not change unless we turn around and change it ourselves; or if someone else comes along to change it.  The mirror will only reflect the reality before it and only when we move forward can there be change. We cannot change what is behind us. If while staring in the mirror we turn around to change something, that still would be progress. We cannot reach through the mirror to fix or change the reflection. Progress requires that we take our eyes off ourselves and what is behind us; progress requires that we move beyond the mirror.

The mirror reflects what is; God’s word is timeless. The mirror reflects our imperfections so we can cover them up before facing the world. God’s word cleanses us of all our blemishes and unrighteousness (John 15:3; Ephesian 5:26). If we gaze to long into the mirror our image becomes more distorted and may even allow pride to creep in. When we spend time in the perfect word of God and apply it to our lives, we receive a makeover beyond our own abilities. 

Some of us have been standing before the mirror for far too long. We continually find and try to fix the imperfections in ourselves. We fix our gaze on our past and allow it to define who we are today. All the while, God has prepared a better way ahead of us. He has gone being us to turn our failures into lessons and opportunities, but we must move away from the mirror to begin to walk in it. We must move beyond the mirror to take hold of it.  The mirror can be the metaphor for our minds, which, with its many benefits can also be the chain that bind us to our past. Walk in the perfect law of God and break free from the chains of the past. 

“Forget those things are behind and reach forward to those which are ahead. [...]Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14)