Christmas Reflection and the Mirror, Mirror Syndrome

Though the soul of Christmas is intended to center on the birth of Christ, I must admit to sometimes getting lost in the commercialized festivities. Christmas too often becomes a frenzied time of decorating, fellowship, family, friends, music, food, parties, and gift-giving. We have good intentions of focusing on Christ, but before we know it, we are caught up in the flurry of activity and the world's influence, focusing on everyone but Christ. When we begin to follow the world our thoughts and actions become more inwardly focused. Let me give you an example of a Christmas reflection…

The other morning, as I looked into the mirror (before applying makeup) fear immediately entered my heart as I found more lines, and to my horror, the lines were getting deeper. My eyelids are sagging, and my neck no longer holds a graceful curve. That's when the intrusive thoughts kicked into high gear. My vanity and practical side were the first to overtake my mind. The words pouring out in dismay said, "Girl, age has taken a toll; you need a facelift, a brow lift, and a blepharoplasty. (FYI, I worked for a plastic surgeon years ago… it still tempts me) The historical side of my brain said, "Oh my, you are looking like your mother!" While part of my brain, still in denial, once again vehemently argued, "I have never looked like my mother." At age 65+, no matter the number of face creams, concealers, SPF lotions, or spa treatments, the fallenness of our bodies (no pun intended), our minds, our thoughts, and our hearts are affected by the temporal world we live in. During this season, movies and advertising parade beautifully air-brushed women fashionably dressed and perfectly sculpted, leaving us feeling frumpy and drab. Well, my friends, we have just been duped by the "Mirror-Mirror Syndrome" of this world. How would I escape this vortex of accusations produced by my Mirror-Mirror?

Thankfully, my spiritual heart finally came online! As I looked at my face and my hands, the Spirit prompted me to ask, "What does your Father observe in these deepening lines, aging skin, reduced sight, and graying hair?" So, I sat quietly momentarily, asking my Father to encourage my already fragile heart. This is what He spoke…

Dearest Daughter,

The worry of this world created the lines on your face, but through My power, they miraculously turned from anxiousness to peace as you prayed. Your changing skin is a badge of honor because it has endured a lifetime of work and service for My kingdom. The lines left by the furrow of your brow reveal's a heart that searched for wisdom in adversity—instead of forging ahead on your own strength, discernment taught you to lean on Me. Faith then relinquished your desires, and because of your abiding trust, I became a refuge against earthly heartache, bringing you heavenly joy. Your limited sight proves that you no longer look upon others with critical eyes… instead, you see through the lens of grace and forgiveness I have granted you. Though your eyes may be dimmed by the years of reading My Word, your soul is now infused with My love, grace, and mercy. The graying of your hair is a sign of age, but I put it there because it is the silver light of heaven beginning to beam as I draw you closer to home.

Influenced by this world, you seem to think I am looking at the exterior of your earthly vessel; instead, I see your heart. And yes, it reveals your iniquity and sin, but because of My Son, you have been transformed [1], and you are a vision of beauty with a robe of righteousness He has bestowed upon you. Every warrior carries the scars [2] of Christ in this life, the difficult years of sanctification, and faith tested during intense spiritual warfare. During the adversity, you became a seeker of truth, obedience, and holiness as you experienced earthly loss, heartbreak, struggles, and illness. As you forged ahead in insurmountable hardship, you clung to My promise to never leave or forsake you [3]. You turned away from the temptation of the wide path and forged a journey of devotion on the narrow path [4], molding you into a woman who chooses each day to live in the light of Christ. Dear daughter, I have planted eternity in your soul because it bears My image [5]… Therefore, never fear the earthly signs of an aging godly life, for they lead you toward a heavenly promise. 

Thank you, Father, for this lesson … I will never look at the lines on my face, my thinning dermis, the weakness of my eyes, and the gray in my hair and doubt whom I serve or how His love looks beyond the physical.

During this Christmas season, enjoy the season with family and friends, but do not forget the birth of Jesus, who allowed us to become the daughters of the King. Without Jesus, our robes are but filthy rags. [6]

Merry Christmas!

Deb

[1] 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29

[2] Galatians 6:17

[3] Deuteronomy 31:8

[4] Matthew 7:13-14

[5] Colossians 3:10

[6] Isaiah 64:6