MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL

Our theme this month is on vision. We all tend to look outward when thinking of vision...the ability to see clearly. James, the half-brother of Jesus, gives us a unique look at vision. The writer compells us to look inward in our vision quest.

James talks about the Scripture as being a mirror that enables us to see ourselves completely, as God sees us. (Remember, God sees clearly.) James writes, "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what is says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23-25, NIV).

Often, it is hard to look at ourselves. Being honest, I have sometimes had great difficulty receiving even 'constructive' criticism. Making excuses remains common to every day life. We make hiding our faults a primary activity, even to ourselves. We hide from our selves in busyness. But where ever we go...there we are. We really can't hide from ourselves forever.

Most recovery programs tell us that the first step to recovery is to take an honest look at who we are and admit our short comings. James adds several promises to this advice that I think we all should look at this year:

If we look intently and continually at the Scripture...it will not only reveal faults...it will transform us. Earlier, James stated, "He (God the Father) chose to give us birth through the word of truth" (v. 18). God is able to speak both life and change into our very being. God is able to make us our very best, "firstfruits of all he created." We are changed by responding to God's leading...through His word.

We don't go through this self-examination alone. Jesus, God's son, is also called The Word. Jesus came to live among us so that we could see our need and our solution. Jesus came to lead us in all truth...to a better life. Much like going to a medical physician, we allow Jesus to examine the need and write the prescription.

That intent look into God's mirror produces freedom and blessing. These are promises from God's lips. "God is "the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (v. 17). We can trust God's character and His ability to shape ours.

We tend to look outside and far off for vision. James tell us to look into the mirror, the Word of Truth, intently and continuously. Once the internal vision is clear...our external opportunities come into focus. Can you see the Bible as a mirror? We see our true self...in the true Word...and realize our true worth. Real change starts with my response to the mirror.