Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Like most people, I have a love-hate relationship with mirrors. There are times when I look in the mirror and really like what I see, especially on a good hair day. Other times, I don't . In my reflection I see only flaws: big hips, cellulite, and wrinkles. So the question becomes can you really trust what you see in the mirror? Is it really your true image you see or a reflection of your own insecurities?

Sometimes I get a second opinion from someone else. Like if I'm trying on clothes and say that I think the pants make my back end look large, whomever I'm shopping with may disagree and tell me they see something totally different. It can be a nice reality check to have someone's viewpoint, especially if it's more favorable than yours. On the flipside, sometimes the person I'm with will agree with me and say, "yep, makes your back end look twice as large as it is." Again, nice reality check. At times, we need the cold harsh truth to prevent us from making a mistake.

Ultimately though, we need to decide what to believe - our perception of the image or someone's else's. And that can be a problem. Especially if others keep telling you they see something that you just can't or don't see. Who do you believe? Can their interpretation of our reflection be influenced by their own insecurities or feelings?

Lately, I've experienced people telling me what I should see when I look in the mirror because they see it more clearly than I do. After all, my perceptions are clouded by my feelings, my insecurities, and my limitations. It really doesn't take much for me to see what they are pointing out. All the flaws and all the imperfections are right there and bigger and more visible than I had ever thought. And I thought I had done such a good job camouflaging and concealing them. However, if I glance away and then look back, I don't see what they see. Sure, the imperfections are there, but not as big or even the same as they were described to me.

Martin Luther in many of his writings talks about the Devil and how he works against God's creative work. As humans, we are caught in-between God and the Devil in this eternal tug of war for our minds and souls. Now, I don't believe the Devil to be this separate entity the lurks in all the dark corners of the world. I do believe the Devil is within all of us: it's our free will working against us. It's our own insecurities and fears getting the best of us. This happens to me when I stop listening to the voice of God. At times like this, I need to remind myself of the story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel.

Let's face it, Elijah's not having a good time. He's a marked man. He's being chased by men who have been sent to kill him. In desperation, he's sent all of his servants away and just wants to die. God sends an angel to feed him and send him to Mt. Camel. There Elijah will receive a message from God. When Elijah gets to the mountain, he finds a cave; he hears earthquakes, thunder, and wind. But where is God? In the small, still quietness. When we can quiet our minds from the loudness of our internal voices and the voices of others, we too can hear the voice of God. And it is during the quiet times when we can discern whether the image we see or that others say they see in the mirror is truly the image that God sees. Isn't this the only opinion that really matters anyway? God's opinion is the one who matters. So next time I look in the mirror and question what I see, I need to quiet myself to hear the One whose image I am created in. The One who loves me no matter what the reflection. The One whose opinion I can trust without question. The still small quiet voice shouts to me, "you are my Beloved child with whom I am well pleased."