“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2a (NIV)
I was in the sixth grade when I first ventured into the House of
Mirrors at my hometown county fair -- a mere 12 years old. My friends
and I ran from booth to booth, suckered into paying good money to play
rigged games. For hours we gave cash to various carnival characters, in
hopes of winning a silly prize or a cheesy piece of jewelry we’d never
wear.
But of all the sideshows at the carnival, the House of Mirrors captured my attention.
We walked through maze-like halls, giggling at the distorted images.
Short and stubby. Tall and lanky. I looked at the various versions of
myself and tried to decide which I liked best. Deep inside, in a place
no one knew existed, I longed for another version of me. I did not like
the one I knew best.
I now realize women all around the world grow up with a distorted view
of who they really are. They look into the mirror and see words that
don’t match the truth about who God created them to be.
They look into the mirror of value and see the word worthless.
They look into the mirror of success and see the word failure.
They look into the mirror of intelligence and see the word stupid.
They look into the mirror of competence and see the word inadequate.
They look into the mirror of acceptance and see the word rejected.
They look into the mirror of confidence and see the word insecure.
They look into the mirror of comparison and see the word inferior.
They look into the mirror of performance and see the words not good enough.
They look into the mirror of sufficiency and see the words not enough ... period.
Many women live in a house of mirrors, believing distorted
interpretations of who they are -- and the devil polishes that mirror of
deception daily.
I know the House of Mirrors well. I grew up there. Lived there for years.
For decades, feelings of inferiority, insecurity and inadequacy held me
captive to a “less-than” life. I was misshaped by others’ words
interpreted by a needy little girl who just wanted to be accepted and
loved.
You might expect me to say, “But then I met Jesus and all my insecurities miraculously disappeared.” Oh, I wish that were the case ... but
that little insecure, lost girl grew up to become an insecure Christian
woman. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-30s that I began to look into
the only mirror that really matters: God’s truth.
The Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” (Romans 12:2a).
Eventually, an older woman in my church told me it was time to renew my
mind with the truth of who I was, what I had and where I was (my
position) as a child of God. She encouraged me to make a list of my true
identity. I’d read those verses scattered throughout Scripture before,
but when she encouraged me to cluster them all together, God began a new
work in my mind and heart.
You are a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
You are chosen. (Ephesians 1:11)
You are dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12)
You are holy. (Colossians 1:22)
These truths were right there on the pages of my Bible in black and white, and a few in red.
You are reconciled through Christ’s life. (Romans 5:10)
You are justified by Christ’s blood. (Romans 5:9)
You are free from condemnation through Christ’s death. (Romans 8:1)
You have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
You can do all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
I knew the verses were the infallible Word of God, but I felt rather
squeamish hearing them, reading them, believing them. But I had a choice
to make. Was I going to believe God told the truth?
I decided that although the verses about my true identity as a child of
God felt uncomfortable, I was going to believe God. And that’s what I’m
challenging you to do today. Let’s decide to silence the inner critic
holding us hostage. Let’s silence the lies stealing our confidence and
look into the mirror of God’s truth. After all, God’s truth is the only
“mirror” that matters.
Heavenly Father, sometimes I tend to believe the lies from my past
rather than the truth of Scripture. Help me renew my mind with Your
truth and see myself as You see me, no matter how beautiful it may be.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (NIV)
John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)
Today's Bible Verse...
Like the coolness of snow at
harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he
refreshes the spirit of his masters. —Proverbs 25:13
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
I'm
not sure where you are located, but it's been blistering hot where I
am. Anything cool and refreshing sounds wonderful. If you've ever worked
a harvest and gotten the dust, plant fragments, and sweat up under your
shirt, you know how refreshing a cool glass of water is to your parched
throat and a shower is for your sticky body. But God says that when we
are trustworthy messengers for each other and for him, it is even better
refreshment than a cool drink on a hot tiring day. So how have you been
doing with the Master's message lately? Shared his love? Told of his
grace? Demonstrated his kindness? Let's get busy refreshing our Lord by
blessing others with his Gospel!
My Prayer...
Forgive me, heavenly Father, when I am untrustworthy with
your message or ashamed of showing my allegiance to you and your Gospel.
Give me wisdom to demonstrate and communicate your love, mercy, grace,
and character to those around me. May my words and actions today bring
you refreshment and glory! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Today's Verse Illustrated...
Church Calendar Too Full by Wendell Simons
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