Mirrors

We often hear that we mirror the kingdom, or Gods character, His light etc. so today I decided why not dive into this mirror especially since we are surrounded with so many. As children of light, we must be aware of what or who is shaping our thoughts, beliefs and morals as these things will shape our identity over time. So, what’s the mirror comparison all about? Let’s dive in and see. In a mirror we see our reflection looking back at us. A mirror is a shiny flat surface that reflects light back to the eye so whatever is in front of the mirror can be seen. So, what then is a reflection? A reflection is the image our eyes receive from light that is bounced back to our eye from off-shiny flat surfaces such as a mirror or water.

Let’s get a look at being made in His image. The image of the Most High is about our identity, purpose, relationship and resemblance to Him. This means we can love, create, reason, as well as possess the ability to make choices. I like the scientific understanding of image best and here’s why. Scientifically speaking, an image is visual representation of an object created by light or technology. We will not look at how technology is used to create images of bones because the best part is the visual representation of the object. Light bounces off an object and travels back to the eye, forming an image of that object. So, scientifically, an image is the result of light interacting with shiny flat surfaces to create a visual copy. This means the Most Highs light interacts with us on the earth,(which is surrounded by water) and it shows a visual copy of His image back to Him, this is why we are working so diligently to be more like Christ because He and the Father are one and we are to be unified with them (Eph. 4:4-6).

Genesis 1:27 gives us our understanding of mirrors and how we mirror the Most High image on the earth. Humans are created in the image of the Most High, and we mirror this image back to Him. In the same way we too are all mirrors to one another. His light in us reflects what His light reveals to the person looking in the mirror. What happens when we go through life looking in all these mirrors? How do we see ourselves especially if the mirror we are looking in is broken?

A broken mirror always distorts the image. The light reflects off broken pieces differently and we don’t see clearly the true image that is there. As a child the first mirror we look in are our parents and when they are broken, we grow up having the wrong view of the image we carry. A broken parent is an abusive parent. Abusiveness is not always slapping someone around; it can be the attitude you have towards another or the tone of voice and the words you choose to use.

After the fall sin distorted the mirror so we see ourselves in ways we shouldn’t an example would be the silent competitions we hold in our heads instead of running our race in our lane, right?

Family, friends, those we date or marry, those we attend church with are all mirrors. They will reflect on us from either a place of holiness or a place of wickedness. When a person is broken, they are like a black mirror when light reflects to their eyes, they see their true wickedness or brokenness. This angers them, thus the reason they try to put out your light.

You and your light carrying self comes around someone that is broken and they mistreat you but, why? Because you are determined to walk in love and light when you come around the light in you reflects to them their true self. They don’t like what they see, and they attack you. The issue isn’t your worth it’s their lack of discipline to allow the Most High the access to repair their brokenness that they choose to carry.

When they reflect from a place of wholeness we are nurtured, and we have growth. So, what then happens when that mirror is trying so hard to reflect the correct image of the Most High and are surrounded by mostly black mirrors? They can be manipulated into being desensitized or even doubleminded and here’s how.

Bad relationships confirm the lies we hear when we look into these broken mirrors. At this point we begin to accept mistreatment because it feels normal. We chase approval because we’ve been trained to earn love. We tie our worth to what others think of us or even how they treat us. This attracts more unhealthy people who sense our brokenness. They promise to never do that or act that way or be like that last failed relationship but then you start your journey with them and unknowingly you mirror their ugliness, and they must get from around you. They mistreat you trying to get rid of the image that they don’t like.

We then come to a place of confusion which is a clear sign we may be double minded. When we are all over the place, one minute, we are confident and the next we are falling apart. This comes from being double minded James 1:8. Think of a seesaw on one side the Most High tells you how precious you are, that you’re chosen and fearfully and wonderfully made. You’re high in the air, feeling good and confident. Then comes the distorted mirror, it causes you to feel low, unlovable and unworthy. It constantly reinforces the lies you will never be enough for anyone, no one can love you why would they? This is what causes the double mindedness we are unstable going between the lies and the truth.

Mistreatment from parents’ plant lies about our worth. Bad relationships usually reinforce those lies. This results in insecurity, shame, pride and doublemindedness. Many times, because of shame we build a protective wall around us which can lead to being prideful. How so? Because we stand at the top of this wall we built, and we look out at others with an I’m better than you attitude, only because we can’t be real and allow ourselves to feel anything again for fear of being hurt. The cycle repeats itself when shame sends us over the edge with insecurities now everything everyone says is an insult and we’re ready to fight.

Pride rejects humility and insecurity rejects worth both make room for instability. Double-mindedness is most often from confusion over identity and now we can see the importance of who we are around and why. We see the importance of what or who we listen to what we allow into our hearts and minds because it is written as a man thinketh in his heart so is he. The path to healing is shifting the mirrors, we must anchor our worth and humility in the Most High alone so, we see what He sees.

So, how do we heal from all the wrong images and accepted lies. The path of healing is about replacing the lies with the truth. The power of it is written is our secret weapon here. We replace the lies that come up every time no matter if the lies surface one behind the other. Remember the enemy wants to see if you really going to stand up to hm or not. So he test you to see will you really cast down the lies and wrong imaginations every single time.

Again with the seesaw imagery double mindedness has 2 sides first there is pride that says you are better than others, you are high in the air and might think too highly of yourself. Insecurity says I can’t, I’m not enough, I’m so low to the ground. In between is humility. True humility says I am valuable in the Most High because He made me and others are valuable too Phil. 2:3. This produces confidence in the Most High and gives us peace. Christ stands in the gap saying “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

We don’t walk in pride because that lie tells us we can do it without Him and that simply is not true. Insecurity ask us why would He want me, love me or use me. But humility says I am more than a conqueror. I will tell you this when we overcome doublemindedness we are often seen as prideful because we have learnt to rest in the Most High we live a life that shows we trust Him and others see it as pride they will loving tell you not to think more highly of yourself then you ought to and when they do just smile knowing your strength comes from the One that called you not yourself. Let them think what they want to think. Heck wasn’t it other people’s thoughts and opinions that caused us to see ourselves wrong to begin with? Why then would we be like dogs returning to our vomit?

Abba, I pray that You will cause me to see the broken mirrors that do distort Your image in me, the mirrors that cause me to see me in a wrong way. I pray that You will reveal to me the source of my double mindedness. I pray now for divine alignment and divine timing. Help me to walk in unison with You and not get ahead of You trying to do things in my own strength with my limited understanding. Help me break the cycle and anchor my identity in You alone. Help me to see me through Your eyes and not the broken mirrors where family or friends may have distorted my view of who You have created me to be. Amen.