When a mirror is placed facing a mirror, the reflection is repeated into infinity. It is possible to see the same image reflected to smaller and smaller images, as if you were looking into a point in the distance that we can only imagine we see. But if we look through God's eyes, seeing our inner man, what do we see in that mirror? Do I see my shortcomings and failures from the past or present looming back at me? Do I see what time has done to me, my testimony, or my dreams? There was a time when I hated looking into the mirror. All I could see was that the person I once was, was gone. Then I realized that it didn't matter, because all I really needed to see was Jesus in me. And that image is repeated and never changes into infinity.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. Proverbs 27:19
Today's Reflection: Down through the years, the Holy Spirit has shown me the evil coming into my life on occasion, and I have looked at it like looking into a mirror where the bad stuff in life was being reflected like a thougsand images of what might happen. I often find myself living in a world of "what ifs." That image is amplified and comes back at you like an infinite world of things you can't overcome, or deal with. Verse 12 of Proverbs in the King James says, when you see the evil coming, HIDE. Where do you hide? You take refuge in a new perception. Renew your thinking. Instead of seeing the evil taking on an infinite number of reasons to worry, and becoming bigger than life, look again into the mirror of your life and see yourself hidden behind the Lord Jesus. What image is reflected in infinity at this point? Only Christ. Everyone in my life, with whom I have tried to share the "I can see it coming"s, has made fun of me, saying that I only see the negative. Yet I watch them again and again, walk head long into trouble, and see them in turmoil and pain in their lives, and I wonder why didn't they see that coming? But the verse does not say I should go tell people when I foresee trouble on the horizon. It says to hide. Don't make it a battle to fight. I can choose, rather, to hide myself in the image of Christ. In that place, I am in a better position to benefit someone else, because I can pray for them in the strength and power that is needed to be an effective friend. God knows what has them diverted from seeing him in their situation. We are a better friend if we can watch and pray.
In the end, even if you see the evil coming at you, it is often impossible to stop or change it. Hiding in Jesus is not to change or defer our circumstances, but rather to give us a new perspective. This is not a hide in denial, or positive thinking box. It is a reality mode, which gives us a refuge when reality is bigger than life.
Today's Prayer: Lord, help us all to not tackle the big bad things in life while seeing them as bigger than we can handle. When you show us the evil approaching, remind us that there is no place we can go that your Spirit is not more powerful. May I see myself hidden in you, in all circumstances, good or bad. Erase for us the images of life that overwhelm and seem to go on forever. May our first resort be to always hide in YOU. Renew my mind. May the image I see, when I look inside, be you. AMEN
For more wisdom, read Proverbs Chapter 27.
