A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Seeing and Being Seen

So often we look into the mirror and think, "oh it's just not a good hair day, or my clothes don't seem to fit anymore - how did that happen, or, I look just like my mother!" In other words we are shocked or dissatisfied with something about our appearance. The apostle John wrote a beautiful, encouraging letter to the believers of his day (and us today). He understands exactly how we feel and helps us see what we really long for as we look into our mirrors. He writes in chapter 3: 1-3 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure." Perspective determines outlook!

As long as I am trying to see myself in the reflection of the mirrors of this world; the expectations I place on myself, the demands of others, or the perceived goals named by world values, I will continually fall short, no matter how accomplished, beautiful or picture perfect. It will never completely be "good enough."

But when I come to realize there is a God who is good; a heavenly Father who loves me so much that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus. And when I look at the love of Jesus, who lived life experiencing sorrow and disappointment, joy and happiness and I learn that He humbled Himself to become a man; to live and die for me a holy sacrifice that paid for every sin I ever committed -- when I hear that on the third day this man Jesus who is God rose from the dead to conquer death and hell, I have a choice to make.

Will I continue to see myself through the mirrors of this world or will I surrender to Jesus view? Will I believe what He says from the beginning; that I am made in His image and after His likeness, precious in His sight? I am His masterpiece, a love poem. The mirrors of Jesus’ eyes are not like the mirrors of this world. They show facade; but the reflection we see in the eyes of Jesus reveals the heart. He promises to give me a new heart; to make me new; born again. I may never look like the "beautiful people" according to this world. But to be seen through eyes of absolute love, I am beautiful in His sight.

Perspective determines outlook. We see ourselves truly as we believe, receive, seek and learn who the lover of our souls is. Jesus is the express image of the invisible God. God is love. Jesus is love with skin on. John puts it this way, "...as He is, so are we in this world." John 4:17b. Beautiful to behold as we behold Jesus.