Perfection Reflection

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you see a person trying to be more like God or do you see someone allowing God to be reflected through your life?

For most of my early years as a Chrisitan I was the first person. I learned early on to love Jesus but I wasn't offered the opportunity to see Jesus working in someone's life. Our family did not attend church and I don't recall having any friends who did either. During my 6th and 7th grade years I attended a Christian school where I made it my goal to 'be like the other kids'. The problem was ~ I wasn't like them. I did not understand the true meaning of relationship with Christ therefore my attempts were futile and fleshly.

Our family moved and I was back in public schools where, though I still loved Jesus, I spent most of my time trying to be perfect, pleasing people AND to some degree God. All I really understood was that I didn't want God mad at me so I tried to be like Him by doing everything 'right'. I worked very hard to stay out of trouble and keep the waters still. Avoid confrontation at all cost was my motto which led to doing whatever it took to be as perfect as possible.

As the years have flown by I have spent many hours reading God's Word and seeking true relationship with Him. One scripture that has stood out to me is the following:

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them". Genesis 1:27

God created me in His IMAGE. He did not create me to be like Him. He created me to reflect who He IS!

What a freeing concept! God does not expect me to be perfect nor to be like Him. My job and goal in life is to ALLOW HIM to be reflected through my life. In all I do, all I say, the way I act, the way in which I treat my family and friends, how I respond to strangers and circumstances in my life, in every aspect of my daily journey I am to just reflect His image.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". Galatians 5:22-23a

Do I allow God to love people through me, to find joy in all things, to have a peaceful home, to be patient, to be kind even to strangers, to show goodness, to be faithful to my family, friends and responsibilities, to allow gentleness to be evident in me and to practice self-control? These are charateristics I cannot display through my flesh. These can only be truly evident in my life as I allow God to be reflected through me.

The mirrors reflection today is not perfect because I still allow flesh to take over at times, but it is becoming more clear everyday.

What about you? When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Considering It All Joy,

Cindy