What
do you see when you look at your reflection in the mirror shortly after getting
up in the morning. At times I feel a bit like the wicked queen in Snow White’s
adventure. As I recall she said something like, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall;
who’s the fairest of them all?” The mirror always answered “You are!” - Until
Snow White was on the scene.
Now
I don’t have a mirror that speaks. It doesn’t need to. Looking at my reflection
speaks volumes as I trace the lines etched into my face by time. There was a
time, many years ago, when I could look at my reflection and feel satisfied
with what I saw. Not exactly Charles Atlas, but a comparatively average young
man with lots of living in front of him. (D. V.) Those days are now remembered
as my time of vanity. Penny Coellen had just won the Miss World beauty contest
and the average young male gazed into the mirror believing that if she could
win Miss World, we could appeal to someone who compared favourably with the
sort of man her title warranted. (Pride – yuk!)
Those
were the halcyon days of Brylcream (a little dab ‘ll do ya.) and ducktail
hairstyles for men! I rather suspect that most of us thought we were the answer
to some young maiden’s prayer!
Those
days have gone. In place of hair there is baldness; Brylcream no longer helps -
except as a polish. There are now more lines on our faces than train lines in
Cape Town. The chest has sunk down into the region of the stomach. So what I
now see when I look in the mirror reveals the stark reality of the aging
process. I don’t like what I see!
However
it is not the magic mirror looking at me. Someone far better and much more
reliable now whispers in my ear. He tells me that to him I’m not a mess. In
fact He tells me that in His sight I’m exactly right. He isn’t looking at my
outer physical shape. He’s looking inside me and can see the spirit man he
“recreated”. I may not be a modern Penny Coellen; wrong gender anyway. But He
sees me as I will be when I am with Him. I wish I could do that!
It
seems that this world is completely upside down. In Him we are renewed day by
day. In the world I get older every day! It’s comforting to know that although
the grave is likely to interrupt the process, at the very end, what Jesus sees
will be reality!
Today’s
meditation looks at this in more detail.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
HERE, NOW AND ALWAYS
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I looked at my
reflection in the mirror on the wall.
I thought it
was familiar and was what I could recall.
The hair was
grey and balding where once there was a mop
But time had
done its damage and was nothing I could stop.
The face was
far from perfect. It looked wrinkled and was lined.
It surely
wasn’t handsome, distinguished or refined.
The chin was
rather hairy and it needed to be shaved.
It didn’t look
respectable but didn’t look depraved.
I looked in fascination
at the things that I could see.
It was a mirror
image that represented me.
I saw the spots
and pimples, the results of passing time.
It didn’t look
too terrible except for ingrained grime.
Then deep
inside my spirit I thought I heard a voice.
“The
things that you are looking at are the result of choice.
It
may look quite presentable, acceptable to you.
But
son, from My perspective, it really will not do.
I’m
looking for a people who want to be My bride.
Arrayed
with all the splendour of the glory that’s inside.
A
people who are spotless and completely wrinkle-free.
Do
you think you’re acceptable to be the one for Me?”
I looked in
disappointment at the person whom I saw.
It surely was
impossible; not handsome anymore.
A tear then
started forming in the corner of my eye.
I knew what
Jesus wanted and I could not comply.
And then he
whispered softly as He ministered to me.
“Look
now at the picture of the person whom I see.
Look
into your spirit for there you will behold,
The
man who I have moulded from a piece of purest gold.
Look
at the perfection, for I have done it all.
I’ve
made you pure and spotless unhampered by the fall.
The
moment when you trusted and gave your life to me.
I
gave you all the qualities that only I can see.
You
look at your appearance; I see your inner man.
You
see your imperfections. I see the bigger plan.
You
think it is impossible; My son that is quite true.
But
I have made a masterpiece and recreated you.
Stop
looking at the creature that both your eyes have seen.
Instead
look at the person I’ve shaped into a queen.
A
picture of the glory of what only I can do.
A
born again example of where I’m taking you.
So
be a little patient with the passing of the years.
The
day is not too distant when I’ll wipe away your tears.
And
we will be forever in a place where we will be,
Bride
and groom together for all eternity
Jim Strickland – Written 30 December 2011
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