Thursday, September 18, 2008

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

13 comments:

  1. Today, I don't like the reflection very much. I won't lie. It's been a tough week as far as my attitude toward life. I've allowed some hurtful words to seep in and take over. It's reflected in my encounters with others and with the way I've viewed myself. It feels plain yucky.

    Still and yet, I've walked it through, kept to Jesus, and am now emerging in a better light.

    Thank God for his love that remains...despite my penchant for the flesh.

    peace`elaine

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  2. wow...

    It is "freeing" when we realize that we ALLOW Him to do the work in us and through us.

    Good Post -

    Glad you found some "goodies" at Chicos - :) (Only a Chico's Woman understands huh????? LOL)

    Blessings to you!
    DeeDee

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  3. Such an interesting perspective! I hadn't thought of it this way before. I believe I would be in the catagory of trying too hard sometimes...
    Thanks for your insights!

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  4. Cindy this post today is so awesome. I am getting ready to share a session with some mom's on Monday about what "mirror" are you looking in...and the mirror we should be looking in is His word so that we can see what He created us to look like and then live like it.

    Thank you for this post today it has truly touched my heart!

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  5. It is comments like the one you left on my latest post that helps me believe I'm becoming someone who reflects Him rather than the perfectionist I was and am recovering from. It has been my physical limitations that have helped me go here. So, I must say my chronic pain is a gift. That isn't easy to embrace....as you may know.

    I've studied the image of God and how we are created to reflect it and have found such freedom there too. This post is clearly written and He gets all the glory as you are reflecting Him by pointing out a misunderstood truth.

    Blessings.

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  6. WOW Cindy - this post has so deeply spoken to my heart. So much of my life has been spent trying harder to be like Jesus, and aiming for that unattainable perfection. It was so exhausting.

    I love the way you've expressed this. It's like this huge awakening thought to me - like a heavy burden has been rolled away.

    Desiring to be His reflection,
    Joy

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  7. Great post, Cindy. Thanks so much for sharing your heart. You know I used to be that first person. You've probably read enough of my blog to know that by now. I used to focus on "I must decrease so that He can increase" and then I realized it was AS He increased I would decrease. As He was invited to live His life through me, as I stopped trying to live Him, He increased and I decreased. It has blown me away.

    Another thing I have learned is that in the "cease striving", the stopping of my efforts, He has become the action in me.

    How grateful I am that He has come for me....

    Thanks for your sweet post on my blog. I am so glad I have met you.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  8. This is a beautiful post. I long to reflect HIM. I'm the women's ministry director at our church. This past February our big conference was titled "Mirror Mirror on the Wall". It was amazing. Most women when they look in the mirror they feel unworthy, unwanted and unloved. WOW. Keeping my eyes on HIM and trying to reflect HIM is the only way I keep my mind away from those feelings. Thank you for the reminder today. Blessings.

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  9. Wow, what a powerful post. After many years, I still struggle from time to time with people pleasing, rather than trying to simply reflect the love of Jesus. Praise God He never gives up on me!

    Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. Your blog is lovely. Looking forward to visiting again very soon!

    Nice to "meet" you...
    Tracy

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  10. I love that Genesis verse, too.

    Recently I read in my favorite devotional "Jesus Calling" where it said we are "His image-bearers". That really struck me.

    May HE shine and reflect through us by His power and for His glory!

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  11. I too, do not like what I see in the mirror at times. For instance, I had a breakdown when things didn't go so well with Mom the other day. I start questioning God...why...why can't she just get a heart...why.

    I should not question. And I had to ask His forgiveness. What takes me by surprise, is no surprise to God. He knows best. All I have to do is trust.

    He still loves me, even when I don't reflect His goodness and mercy.

    Love your post. Thanks again for your prayers for Mom.

    God bless you,
    Carrie

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  12. Very powerful....thanks for sharing!!

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  13. The Lord seems to be working a common theme among christians lately. I see myself echoed in this post and your most recent post as well.

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Hi Friend, I read and cherish every single comment you leave! You bring Joy to my heart! Blessings, Cindy