Reflection

Reaching through a faint mist and wiping the fog off the mirror revealed an unfamiliar face and reflection. I was humbled by the image before me because the years had taken their toll. But the question needed to be asked. Who was this person before me?

As I mulled over this thought, I observed the eyes above and the face beneath the shaving cream. Does every glide of the razor through this lather uncover a stranger or a friend? A righteous man or an imposter? Has this person learned the lessons of his past, or is this reflection merely a mask hiding a rather uncomfortable reality?

“And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’ He answered and said, ‘He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me’” (Matthew 26:22–23).

I believe the only way to truly know who we are is to face today’s trials and tomorrow’s burdens. They reveal our character to the universe. Perhaps it is a stunning revelation to others and to ourselves, but not to God. He already knows who we truly are inside, but we rarely do ourselves. When we fall short, adjustments have to be made as we remind ourselves that genuine Christians never act in such a way. Then we rinse and repeat.

After a few splashes of cold water (and sometimes hot—but never lukewarm), I am done, at least until tomorrow, when I’ll have look into this mirror again.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16).

Last evening, after witnessing a terrible event, I sat and read about Christ in the gospels. In them I saw His patience, love, strength, and perseverance. Jesus showed compassion at every trial and at every turn. He was patient with those whom He loved, and He loved everyone. When He was weak, He prayed to the Father for strength and was healed by angels. Full of wisdom, He leaned on the weight of His Father, but fully understood His purpose and value to this world, and our plan of salvation. Jesus saw His cause as being more important than He was, and He knew that this cause is what truly mattered. He removed His wants from the equation and dedicated His service to the brethren. His reflection was that of perfection.

I yearn for a heart like Christ that dwells among the stars. A glorious character that reaches out to the edges of eternity and beyond. I want to be more like Jesus.

Yet, like a thunderbolt, the event I witnessed has thrown me out of character and exposed my flaws. Who am I? I wonder while reflecting on my own irate and unforgiving thoughts. I ask my God for wisdom and faith and I think about the long road ahead for me as I seek a truly Christ–like character. 

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15).

After drying my face and taking one last look in the mirror, I step forward along with the world—praying fervently for my country, for my loved ones, for myself, and for the prophetic journey that lies ahead for our Republic.