MAN IN THE MIRROR
This past week, we have focused alot of attention on the loss of Michael Jackson. I am a Facebook user--so, my home page has been inundated with videos, prayers, memoriams, "R.I.P.'s", and more, in his honor. I grew up along with MJ, too--being only a few years younger. I was not the fan that many are. My admiration was more toward the Jackson 5, than any of the solo artists that came from that family group. I did recognize the talents--extreme, that Michael had, though. His dancing was phenomenal. I didn't get caught up in his troubles, too much--because both sides, always seemed to have serious flaws, in their arguments.
I'm not going to spend too much time on Michael, except to say that, I have been a little surprised at the attention he has received from Christians--based on Facebook, it has been much more than from non-Christians. They seem to have made their peace with the loss, within a day or two, but the saints are struggling to let go of the pop icon. I am just watching, to see how long it will go on--how long it will take for US to refocus.
There is one song, though that really appealed to me--then, and now. I remember that it intrigued me, as being odd coming from a pop star, whose other hits had not been quite so introspective. That song is, "Man in the Mirror". The words, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways; If you wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make the change. You gotta get it right, while you got the time; 'Cause when you close your heart, Then you close up your mind." I find those words quite poignant--and appropos for the times, now. For everyone--particularly for those of us, who really want to please God.
It is easy to recognize the flaws and mistakes in others--but much more difficult to look "in the mirror" and examine ourselves, honestly--naked before God, and admit that, against His measuring stick we have quite a long way to go. Self-examination (regular) is necessary for the child of God. We have to be so careful that our thoughts, words, actions, do not lead us to condemnation; particularly condemnation of others. Often we judge others, without ever taking the time to sit with them and find out, what may be behind their actions. It could be YOUR perception that is amiss--but you won't know, because you haven't given them a chance. That happens when we don't look at the "Man in the Mirror". Away from the mirror, we rationalize and justify our actions--mistakes; but we are intolerant of others' shortcomings. Only when we self-examine, do we find a way to be compassionate and forgiving; it is then that we realize, we don't always measure up, either.
A lot of us will say, "I know that I am not perfect". Basically, that is where it ends. We don't self-assess, and go deeper to explore those imperfections--so that we can seek God's help to grow beyond that imperfection. Saying that we are not perfect, does not fix--or even identify the problem. It's makeup--and it comes off, easily, revealing the same problem that has plagued your spiritual walk, for years, and gone unchecked. It's the same as saying, "That's just me" or "That's just my personality". Those responses to character flaws are copouts. "It's time to make a change".
If MJ could ask the reflection in his mirror to "change his ways", surely those of us, who are blood-bought, Spirit-filled Christians should have no problem doing the same--and more. It's not about works, mind you "lest any man should boast". Once, however, we acknowledge the truth of what we see in the mirror, we have full access to the GRACE of God, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Problem is--we are looking over everybody else's shoulder, in their mirror--at their reflection. Get your own mirror. Don't bring others into the room as you look at your reflection--let it be between you and God, alone. Be honest. What do you really see?
The song is accurate in this sense, too. If we each do this--we will make the world a better place. Of course, since this is only about "me", this time, concentrate on that--and the world around you--will be better. People around you, may NOT change, but your outlook will--and that makes all the difference. Reflection and honesty before God, and with ourselves results in a change in the atmosphere. There WILL be a shift. "Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. And the burning sand and the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lay resting, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:4-10 TAB)
Things happen when we, in honesty, search ourselves--coming before God, admitting that "It's Me, It's Me, O Lord...". When the atmosphere experiences that shift, "the wilderness and the solitary place" become glad--dancing with excitement and renewed fervor! Even in the desert, the "rose shall blossom abundantly"! There, in what was once a wasteland, where we just went through the motions, work, sleep, church--Sunday School, Prayer, Testimony Service, Worship & Praise, Preaching, Offertory, Benediction, Greet and go home, changes. In this renewed atmosphere, we have "Koinonia"--FELLOWSHIP. Our hearts are knit together in love and unity. We "strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees"--we don't step over them.
So, then, as we come to the close of time, know that we gotta' get it right. Not just for ourselves as individuals, but for a world, dying, without Christ. Open your heart--and consider.
"Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of NO reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, and became OBEDIENT unto death, even the death of the Cross." (Philippians 2:6-8 KJV)
Have the mind of Christ.
I'm not going to spend too much time on Michael, except to say that, I have been a little surprised at the attention he has received from Christians--based on Facebook, it has been much more than from non-Christians. They seem to have made their peace with the loss, within a day or two, but the saints are struggling to let go of the pop icon. I am just watching, to see how long it will go on--how long it will take for US to refocus.
There is one song, though that really appealed to me--then, and now. I remember that it intrigued me, as being odd coming from a pop star, whose other hits had not been quite so introspective. That song is, "Man in the Mirror". The words, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways; If you wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make the change. You gotta get it right, while you got the time; 'Cause when you close your heart, Then you close up your mind." I find those words quite poignant--and appropos for the times, now. For everyone--particularly for those of us, who really want to please God.
It is easy to recognize the flaws and mistakes in others--but much more difficult to look "in the mirror" and examine ourselves, honestly--naked before God, and admit that, against His measuring stick we have quite a long way to go. Self-examination (regular) is necessary for the child of God. We have to be so careful that our thoughts, words, actions, do not lead us to condemnation; particularly condemnation of others. Often we judge others, without ever taking the time to sit with them and find out, what may be behind their actions. It could be YOUR perception that is amiss--but you won't know, because you haven't given them a chance. That happens when we don't look at the "Man in the Mirror". Away from the mirror, we rationalize and justify our actions--mistakes; but we are intolerant of others' shortcomings. Only when we self-examine, do we find a way to be compassionate and forgiving; it is then that we realize, we don't always measure up, either.
A lot of us will say, "I know that I am not perfect". Basically, that is where it ends. We don't self-assess, and go deeper to explore those imperfections--so that we can seek God's help to grow beyond that imperfection. Saying that we are not perfect, does not fix--or even identify the problem. It's makeup--and it comes off, easily, revealing the same problem that has plagued your spiritual walk, for years, and gone unchecked. It's the same as saying, "That's just me" or "That's just my personality". Those responses to character flaws are copouts. "It's time to make a change".
If MJ could ask the reflection in his mirror to "change his ways", surely those of us, who are blood-bought, Spirit-filled Christians should have no problem doing the same--and more. It's not about works, mind you "lest any man should boast". Once, however, we acknowledge the truth of what we see in the mirror, we have full access to the GRACE of God, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Problem is--we are looking over everybody else's shoulder, in their mirror--at their reflection. Get your own mirror. Don't bring others into the room as you look at your reflection--let it be between you and God, alone. Be honest. What do you really see?
The song is accurate in this sense, too. If we each do this--we will make the world a better place. Of course, since this is only about "me", this time, concentrate on that--and the world around you--will be better. People around you, may NOT change, but your outlook will--and that makes all the difference. Reflection and honesty before God, and with ourselves results in a change in the atmosphere. There WILL be a shift. "Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. And the burning sand and the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lay resting, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:4-10 TAB)
Things happen when we, in honesty, search ourselves--coming before God, admitting that "It's Me, It's Me, O Lord...". When the atmosphere experiences that shift, "the wilderness and the solitary place" become glad--dancing with excitement and renewed fervor! Even in the desert, the "rose shall blossom abundantly"! There, in what was once a wasteland, where we just went through the motions, work, sleep, church--Sunday School, Prayer, Testimony Service, Worship & Praise, Preaching, Offertory, Benediction, Greet and go home, changes. In this renewed atmosphere, we have "Koinonia"--FELLOWSHIP. Our hearts are knit together in love and unity. We "strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees"--we don't step over them.
So, then, as we come to the close of time, know that we gotta' get it right. Not just for ourselves as individuals, but for a world, dying, without Christ. Open your heart--and consider.
"Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of NO reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, and became OBEDIENT unto death, even the death of the Cross." (Philippians 2:6-8 KJV)
Have the mind of Christ.
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