Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

On the Friday morning while our youngest daughter and her husband were visiting us, we all found ourselves busily preparing to embark upon our trip up the coast for the weekend.  My wife and I were upstairs getting dressed while JoAnna and Jeremiah were awaiting the completion of a load of clothes tumbling in the dryer.  Since she had some extra time on her hands, JoAnna sat down at our piano and began to play.  Within a few moments Jeremiah joined her and they filled the house with melody as JoAnna’s hands flowed across the keys and the two of them sang praise and worship songs to the Lord.

As I busied myself assisting my wife, it suddenly and emotionally hit me how nice it was to hear the piano being played in our home again.  It also quickly registered how JoAnna had the same light touch on the keys that her mother always possessed.  As the emotions began to flow I quietly peeked down from the loft and felt as though as I was looking into a mirror as I observed JoAnna and Jeremiah at the piano lifting their talents as an offering to the Lord.  It was as if I was looking at a younger version of Piper and I from the 1970’s!  It would seem that music has become as integral a part of their lives as it has always been in ours throughout the years.

This morning I read once more about mirrors in the epistle of James.  In verses 21–27 in the first chapter, the author speaks of what one sees in a natural mirror as compared to what one sees when he or she looks into the mirror of faith.  A natural mirror only reflects what is readily seen on the outside and is quickly forgotten by the observer.  James 1:25 says: “But he who looks into (the mirror of) the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”  (NKJV)

When one looks into the mirror of the Word of God, which is the perfect law of liberty, he or she does not see their own image, but a reflection of God’s will for them.  It is a picture that is not soon forgotten.  Pastor James goes on to say that the more you look into this mirror and do what it says, the more you will be blessed, because His mirror reflects the truth concerning your life.  It is the mirror in which your faith needs to look.  God’s mirror gives the correct impression of whatever you are facing each and every day.

Yesterday I was a momentarily  taken back as I reviewed the doctor’s written summary of our quarterly meeting with Piper’s Specialist on Tuesday afternoon.  Under the heading of a section on the report entitled “Impressions,” the doctor listed some of her observations of Piper’s conditions that were not too positive.  The written description shook me as I recalled the various conversations with the Social Worker, the representative of the local Alzheimer’s Association, the Nurse Practioner and our Neurologist.  All kinds of negative thoughts and images began to flood my mind as I briefly considered what the doctor observed of my wife.

When I tossed the report onto my desk and walked a little shakily into the living room, the vision of a mirror came clearly into my mind and I recalled James’ words that my wife and I had read together at breakfast and I saw that the doctor was only reporting on what she visibly observed, like one who looks into a mirror hanging on the wall.  The Spirit immediately reminded me that Piper and I have a better, more accurate mirror, the mirror of God’s Word, which reflects the perfect law of liberty that has set us free from the dictates of the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:1-2)  That mirror clearly shows us God’s “Impression” of Piper’s good health which Jesus has already provided for us as was first prophesied in Job 33:24-25 where it unequivocally foretold of the ransom or atonement which Jesus would provide on Calvary and beyond. (See also: I Peter 2:24) That reality brought instant peace to my being as my faith was drawn into the mirror of God’s will.

Have you ever looked into the mirror on your wall and seen things that are not too encouraging or maybe even down right scary?  (I’m not talking about your looks here, but about the threat of bad reports, sickness, or other disturbing personal news!)  Sometimes it would even seem that your mirror talks to you and emphasizes the negative view you are observing.  At times like that I would encourage you to step away and look into another mirror, the mirror of God’s truth that will build up your faith and cause you to take the corresponding actions that will bring about His will in contrast to what the natural mirror is reflecting.

So don’t get caught up in the conflicting message of “Mirror, mirror on the wall…” but look continuously into the mirror of the perfect law of liberty and follow through on what you see.  Then you will enjoy the results of “being blessed in what you do”  Have a super day.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What ‘Impression’ am I expecting today?”