The Mirror of God

The Mirror of God

the mirror of God
God’s word is a mirror. We just need to dare to look at it. What do I mean? We could take, for example, any story Jesus told to his disciples. If we dare to ask the Holy Spirit to read our heart and show us what we need to know, God’s word will be a mirror for us. The picture that we see in our hearts is God’s message for us. Keep this in mind when you read the parable of the great dinner:

Jesus replied, “A certain man hosted a large dinner and invited many people.  When it was time for the dinner to begin, he sent his servant to tell the invited guests, ‘Come! The dinner is now ready.’ One by one, they all began to make excuses. The first one told him, ‘I bought a farm and must go and see it. Please excuse me.’  Another said, ‘I bought five teams of oxen, and I’m going to check on them. Please excuse me.’  Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’  When he returned, the servant reported these excuses to his master. The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go quickly to the city’s streets, the busy ones and the side streets, and bring the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.’  The servant said, ‘Master, your instructions have been followed and there is still room.’  The master said to the servant, ‘Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’” (Luke 14:16-24, CEB)

Who are you in the parable?
How are you responding to God’s invitation?
What is your excuse for not spending more time with Jesus?

I don’t know about you but I was convicted.

The mirror showed me a person I don’t want to be. Lord, have mercy. The mirror reflected back a picture of a person who is too busy for her own good. Help me, Lord! The mirror encouraged me to focus on the main thing. And there is only one thing that is essential in life. And that is Jesus Christ.

Sure, we are to enjoy life.
Sure, we are to live fully.

But we need to keep the main thing the main thing. Everything else comes second. If we do not have priorities right, our life goes of the kilter. If we don’t start our days alone with the Lord, the rest of the day is not getting any better. If we don’t want to fill the house of the Lord, we will be left outside.

It’s so easy to come up with a dozen of excuses that sound solid. And soon we believe them ourselves. In order to stay on course we need spend time with Jesus. Come rain or shine, we need to abide in Christ. And be saturated with Scripture.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Tim. 3:16-17, MSG)

We need to dare to look at the mirror of God’s word regularly. We need to dare to be convicted by the Holy Spirit. Because then we know what to repent and how to get back on the course. That’s what growing in grace means.

When we let the mirror of God correct us, we will stay on the right course. When we let God’s Spirit work in us, we are destined to dine with Jesus.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for giving us the mirror of your word.
Show us when we start straying away from you.
Let the Holy Spirit convict us when needed.
Keep working in us; don’t ever give up on us.
Enable us to grow strong in your grace.
May your will happen in and through our lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you dare to look at the mirror of God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you keep the main thing the main thing!

Image courtesy of Shawn Thompson, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty , Hear it on Sunday, use it on Monday, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp: #1027 The mirror of God shows the condition of our hearts.

8 thoughts on “The Mirror of God

  1. Dear Mari-Anna
    When I look in the mirror of Jesus, the only thing that I desire to see, is our Lord Jesus living His life in and through me!
    Blessings
    Mia

  2. “But we need to keep the main thing the main thing.” Oh how I needed this today. You had me at “Help me, Lord!” Thank you for the encouragement and reminder to make time with Him my priority. Blessings, Beth.

  3. Thanks for the image of the mirror of God…I will use this image in my prayer time and throughout the day! Happy Monday, Judy

  4. OUCH!
    I have area’s I make excuses in…it’s so easy to find solid justifications but when I view them through God’s grace I know they are simply excuses I employ to make my life easier for ME.
    If I’d only let go of my agenda’s and let God have His way my life would be easier and full of fruit!

    Great post!

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