One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Not long ago when I took out the household trash to the dumpster at the apartment complex, I discovered a treasure. Someone threw away a full-length mirror. Although used, the mirror had a simple wooden frame and offered a clear reflection. Someone’s trash became useful to me, a treasure.
I haven’t had a full length mirror since college. Over the years, if I needed to see how something looked, I often resorted to pulling a chair into the bathroom and standing on it. Today, the mirror sits perfectly in the corner of the bedroom, behind Grace’s dog bed.
Grace experienced the mirror for the first time with interest. She cocked her head in perplexity as she looked into the reflection. As she moved, so did her reflection. The mirror before her, reflected her image; this puzzled her. She sniffed the mirror and pressed her damp nose onto the reflective surface. She pawed at herself in the mirror and eventually sat still gazing at herself.
Watching Grace reminded me that a mirror reflects that which is on the outside. Reflections of food stuck between teeth, messy hair, and mismatched clothing occur when I take a look in the mirror. The mirror points to the external. Is everything on the outside in order?
Grace “saw” herself for the first time and became intrigued by what she saw. Taking note of the outward appearance provides opportunities for correction, telling me to floss my teeth, comb through my hair, and change my clothes. But, that is not all mirrors do for us.
Just as Grace eventually stilled, God invites us to sit still, gaze at Him and allow Him to influence our inward parts. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, described this as tending to “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-4) as God looks not our outward appearance, but at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
One of the ways we gaze at God is through reading and studying the Bible. The Bible acts like a mirror for the soul and calls those who look into God’s inspired Word to welcome change and growth. God created humankind in His image (Genesis 1:27). Our great and mighty God made us to reflect Him. As we follow Him, we live as mirrors, reflecting what God is like to a watching world.
So, how clear is the reflection of God’s image in you?
Let’s wonder about ways to receive God’s transforming power within the hidden person of the heart.
Take a moment to look in a mirror and notice the external; your head, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, shoulders, arms, hands, heart, legs, and feet.
Next, imagine looking into the mirror of Scripture. What do the words in the Bible reflect back to you regarding areas for confession, healing, and transformation?
Reflect about the ways you do or don’t reflect God. Allow the Holy Spirit to move you deeper with the One who loves you. Welcome God’s examination of your inner person (Psalm 26:2), embrace His correction, and let Him increase His reflection through you.
Curiously consider these questions and Scriptures as a mirror for your soul. When other Scriptures come to mind, ponder those as well. Let these enhance your authentic transformed reflection of God. Let’s look into the “mirror.”
Mind – Do you have the mind of Christ? (1 Corinthians 2:15-16) How do you take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Eyes – What do you fixate upon? Where do you fix your eyes; the temporary or the eternal? (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Nose – You are the aroma of Christ. What kind of fragrance follows you throughout the day? How do you smell? (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Ears – Faith grows through hearing the word of Christ. What do you listen to? (Romans 10:17) In what ways do your actions and attitudes reflect what you “hear” from Jesus? (James 1:23-25)
Mouth – What are ways to develop self control over your mouth? (Ephesians 4:29) Do you “keep watch over the door of your lips”? (Psalm 141:3) Do you regularly confess Jesus is Lord through repentance and receive His reconciliation? (Romans 10:9)
Shoulders – How do you handle the stresses of life? Where and to whom you take your burdens? (Matthew 11:28, Psalm 68:1)
Arms – Take inventory of your prayer life. In what ways do you lift your arms in surrender to the will of God? Where do you go to be alone with the Lord? (Galatians 2:20, Psalm 63:4)
Hands – In what ways does your service to others reflect Jesus’ sacrifice? How are you involved in meaningful work with God? (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
Heart – How does God’s heart of forgiveness, compassion, grace, and truth calm your heart and reflect in your relationships? (Nehemiah 9:17) Does God’s heart direct your decisions? (Psalm 32:8-9)
Legs – What does trusting God and His path look like in your life? (Proverbs 3:5-6) In what ways do your live submissive to God and others? (Isaiah 45:2)
Feet – Where do you share the gospel of peace? (Ephesians 6:15) How do you make every effort to live at peace with others? (Romans 12:18)
A mirror reflects the image before it. Remember God’s invitation to tend to the internal as well as the external. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Gaze at God and let His reflection be formed in you. The Bible shows us how to live and invites us to reflect God in all of our ways.
We reflect the image of God to others – we get to be the mirror of God for the world. When “we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” which reflects His steadfast extravagant love to all those we encounter. (1 John 4:12)
My prayer for each of us:
May we offer a stunning reflection of our Savior in the ways we interact and engage others. As we soak in Scripture, may the hidden person of our heart experience transformation so that our good and mighty God reflects through us. Just as in a mirror, may we reflect God’s heart, the mind of Christ, and the leading of the Spirit through our living. In Jesus name, Amen
Follow Soulcare Anchoress on instagram: soul_careanchoress
Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
1 Peter 3:3-4 – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Esther Engelsma. Transformed: How God Renews Your Mind to Make You More Like Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI. 2021.
John Loren Sandford and Paula Sandford. Transforming The Inner Man: God’s Powerful Principles for Inner Healing and Lasting Life Change (Transformation). Lake Mary, FL. 2007.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Casting Crowns. The Change in Me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TCZiy5A2A
Passion Music. More Like Jesus (Live) ft. Kristian Stanfill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwlcswW6sg