When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? I see a reflection of a young women dressed in the glory of God. Do you see this? Or are you so focused on your flaws and imperfections that your mind is set on the sight before you, instead of above you?
The biggest thing we humans go through has to do with ourselves. In school, we were taught about creating a positive self-esteem which is important to understand as the teenage years hit hard. But a lot of the time, our self-esteem comes from the desire to be like other people we like, instead of who we really are. But who are we? It's difficult to find your identity when your eyes are set on the characters around you - who only end up disappointing you. Although, it is so easy and freeing to find your identity in the One Who created you and Who is constant through it all!
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 AMP
I was tested this week regarding my self-esteem. All the past downgrading words from people and myself started playing up. The words, "you're socially awkward", really hurt me when they were spoken from someone I cared about years ago. These words, among others, played a big role in who I am today because for years I let those words define me. How blinded I was! My whole body image, personality and self-esteem would change always to suit the people around me. Think of how sad that is... a person cannot be who they really are because they are too afraid of what people will think of them, like a weed blowing with the wind. Can you identify with this person?
Colossians 1:15 says, "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." Wow. If God had to look in a mirror, the face of of Jesus would look back. That means that God Himself walked this earth and died a criminals death for YOU. Read that again. As simple as that may seem, the more profound it becomes because when I died to myself and took Jesus as the Lord of my life, my reflection in the mirror becomes the face of Jesus. This is true because as we continue in Colossians 1:16, "He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth." You and I were created through Jesus! In Genesis 1, this talks about the same thing where we are told that we are created in the image of God.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:3.
Hallelujah!
But we need to differentiate two things before we fully understand this. 1 Corinthians 15:45 onward does this well. We see here that the first man, Adam, made from dust, is a living person. The last Adam, which is Jesus from heaven, is a life-giving Spirit. "What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later." Although, we can't live in a natural body without our Spirit man. They are co-dependant on each other, but our Spirit man lasts forever, where our physical bodies die! In the end, our Spirit man is what counts for it determines the course of our eternity. But we have been blessed with a physical body so that what we do here on earth will serve God and build our houses in heaven, set an example for those who are separated from Him and live life here on earth in His Presence already. Can you see how connected everything is! God truly is "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelations 22:13)
So my friends, you are beautiful and precious! God counts you worthy of sharing in His glory and splendour as you are united with Him through Jesus. Whatever lie and negative thought that fills your head about the way you look and the kind of person you are is not of God. God has called you for a purpose and He has created you in His image - that promise conquers every nasty word that wants to get you down. You are beautiful because you have a God living inside of you, that has won every battle, loved unconditionally and saved willingly.
Your body reflects His beauty, your eyes reveal His love and your personality is cherished and given to you by Him. May everything you do be done to serve Him and reveal His glory to the world. May the revelation of your identity hidden in Christ remind you of Who He is and what He has planned for you. May the beauty in which you have been created humble you to serve God with every flaw and strength you have.
As a result, He has brought you into His own Presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22
So now, when you look in the mirror, what do you see?
Heavenly Father, thank You for uniting us with You. Thank You Lord that we live our lives to reveal your face to the world and leave your footprint in people's hearts. Thank You Lord for reminding us that we are beautiful and made in Your image. May we keep our eyes on You Jesus! In Your name, Amen.
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