Full View in the Mirror

Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.  
 
For almost a year now I have been on a weight loss journey. Some of you may have noticed. I gotta say I’m happy that I’m not the man I used to be, but that’s a “weightier” subject for another day. God has blessed my journey and He has helped me surpass many difficult and challenging moments throughout this process. I praise Him for His care and the strength He has given me to keep moving forward.   
 
The success I have enjoyed thus far has been fulfilling and every time I look in the mirror I am reminded of the blessing of a second chance at life. God is so good.   
 
Having said that something shocked me the other day. I looked, perhaps for the first time since I started this journey, into a full-length mirror. What I saw challenged my perception of myself. It turns out I look “different” than the image I had formulated in my mind of myself.   
 
I think the problem started with the mirrors in my house. They are all relatively small and I cannot see myself in full view. I cannot see the “big” picture. As a result, I pieced together a mental image that was inaccurate.   
 
The full view brought the realization that I have a ways to go before I get to my goals. Yes, God has given me much success, but the “heavy” truth is that I have not arrived.   
 
The way I see this whole situation is there are two options for me, either I accept the truth that mirror conveyed and move forward with all the more determination to make the changes needed to succeed or I can get offended, close off, and refuse to accept the reality presented. It’s so much easier to shift the blame and deflect, but I will never arrive at my goal if I do.   
 
God puts challenging people, messages from scripture or sermons, and words of constructive criticism from those we love in our path in order to act as a mirror to reflect back at us areas in our life we need to surrender to Christ. Often our default is to become offended, defensive, or combative. But what we’re really trying to do is avoid the humbling hard work of personal growth and consistent surrender of self to Christ. We’re essentially protecting the idol of our self-image.  
 
Next time you encounter critical words, experience a difficult encounter with someone, or  sense that convicting voice of the Holy Spirit challenging you to see yourself as you are, don’t run from it. Take a moment, breathe, then pray for the strength to take an honest full look in the mirror. You may not like what you see but the momentary pain will pay off in eternal rewards. Once you accept yourself and the truth of your weaknesses you can then move forward toward that heavenly goal.   
 
Achieving the heavenly goal means being honest about your true condition then looking consistently at the image of our Lord Jesus, then, as the passage states, we will be transformed “from glory to glory.”