Reflections

I lived in a city of mirrors. As I attempted to amble surreptitiously down
the street to my destination, I nervously adjusted my mirrored glasses.
Everyone wore them in the city. In fact, removing your glasses bordered on
appalling.

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Figuring a mocha might jump-start my day, I squeezed in line at a local
cafe. The girl in front of me turned, and our mirrored eyes met. The person
I saw reflected back at me was anxious, fidgeting, trying to untangle a
knot of hair. Too much frizz. Was that leftover breakfast in my teeth? I
sighed. Who would want to hang out with me anyways? I turned my head in
defeat and the girl turned away.

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“Everyone must see exactly what I see—a disaster!” I thought. Blinking back
tears, I hurried down the street. “If only I didn’t have to look in one
more mirror ” Suddenly, I saw a pair of sandaled feet blocking my path. I
stopped short and slowly raised my head I gasped. His eyes, kindness
radiating from them, and smile lines that crinkled pleasantly around the
edges. This man looked at me with mirrorless, glasses-free eyes!

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There was no other way to explain it, but I felt as though he had known me
my whole life. Then, he spoke my name, soft as a whisper. “Jayden, you see
yourself through your own eyes, but you are so much more to me. People look
at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.” I shook my head. “But
how do you look at someone’s heart? How can I see differently?”

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He threw back his head and laughed—a pure, musical sound. “Up until
now you’ve only seen reflections, but soon you will see face-to-face. I’ve
come to tell you that you are fully known and completely loved by me and
by my Father.” Hearing his words, I felt joy filling my soul and splashing
over, like a dry fountain come back to life. I blurted out, “Show me. I
want to see!” He reached out his hands, and lifted the glasses from my
eyes. • Savannah Coleman

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• Today’s story is an allegory. We live in a world that places a huge
emphasis on outward appearances. This is nothing new—just look at 1 Samuel
16! But God sees everything about us, including our hearts. He loves us,
and He invites us into the freedom of knowing Him through Jesus. God showed
how much we are worth to Him when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the
grave for us. We find our true identity in Jesus. How can knowing Him
affect the way we see ourselves and others?

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For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to
face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully
known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

Read Verses:

1 Samuel 16:1-1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Corinthians 13