We all look in the mirror whether it is intentional or on reflex. We check our teeth, we check to make sure our hair is in place, clothes fitting properly and sometimes just to admire how we look.

Looking in the mirror is an important part of our daily routine. But is it all about checking our grooming status?

One morning as I was looking in the mirror and turned to walk away, I was inclined to look again. This time I audibly heard the question, “what do you see?” I was home alone so immediately I knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking.

Staring into the mirror, I hear more questions, “do you reflect the image of the Father?” Are you clothed with uprightness and compassion that resemble features of Jesus Christ?”  “Does the Holy Spirit shine through you daily?”

Stunned to the point where I could not turn from the mirror.

As I stared into the mirror, I audible say, “though I know and hear God’s Word, I have not always done what it says.” I was immediately reminded of the scripture in the book of James-- “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like” (James 1:23-24).

Even on my best days, I will fall short. Nevertheless, I have become more intentional to pause while looking in the mirror, not only to check my grooming status but to check my godly status.

When I look in the mirror now, I remind myself I will trust God regardless of what the day brings.

When I look in the mirror now, I will not allow the enemy to keep me in a self-sabotaging mode.

When we look in the mirror the reflection of condemnation should no longer be seen(Romans 8:1-8). Instead, you and I should see ourselves as God sees us, fearfully ad wonderfully made(Psalm 139:14).

Our reflections no longer reveal the weight of heavy baggage, instead it reveals calmness and peace shining through.

When I look in the mirror, I no longer see dried tears from lamenting painful regrets, instead I see tears flowing representing joy and peace as I have never experienced before.

As a new person in Christ, I nor you are bound by our old reflections (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God wants the best for us. And He sees the best in us. But it is up to us to see in ourselves what the Father sees in us.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Father, my Provider, and Protector. When I look at myself in the mirror, I want to see You. The only way I can see You is if I am committed to studying Your Word to learn the attributes of Jesus Christ and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Father as I grow in Your wisdom I pray for grace, knowledge, and an ear to hear so that I can reflect You more each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: How intentional are you in growing so that you look more like the Father?

Colossians 3:10--And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Ephesians 2:10-- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4:24--And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Proverbs 9:10--The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Romans 6:6--We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

2 Corinthians 3:18--And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.