I cleaned my bathroom mirror for the first time in months the other day. And before you comment on the life of a bachelor, focus! I have a different point to make. I was and still am startled at the clearer image that glowers back at me when I face it. It brought to mind a verse from that seminal thirteenth chapter in I Corinthians: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (12).
Apart from the immediate context of the verse, which declares that the imperfection with which we understand God’s love is temporal and will fade once all things come together in Him, another application occurred to me. Bear with me if this is something that you have heard before; I tend to be a slow learner and it helps to process things. Quite often we don’t realize how dirty things have become until and unless we clean them. Mirrors, toilets, cars, kitchen drawers, garages, and so forth; the list is endless. We think that we are perceiving things clearly, that while dirt or clutter may have clouded our view slightly we’re still mostly seeing things as they are. Then something happens to erase the smudges, silence the din, and clear away the rubble, and we realize just how clouded and crowded our senses have been.
And I’m sure you can relate to this, how the imperceptible accumulation over time can slide under the radar, building in the background. We’re frogs in water that are being slowly brought to boil. If the distractions and encumbrances had popped up all at once, in a headlong rush, it would be simple and obvious to recognize and redress the situation. But, and here is where I truly sense the great Malevolence spoken of so often in the New Testament, circumstances conspire to keep us ignorant of the distractions. The darkness slowly creeps over our field of vision until we can’t remember what it was to look into a clean mirror. That vivid image of ourselves, our Savior, and the world is gradually crowded out, by even the most benign and innocuous events of life. Nay, even, dare I say, by the spiritual laps we run, thinking that we are doing good work for God. Not every glass cleaner leaves a clean image afterward.
It’s death by Novocain, which the Enemy much prefers to a stab to the heart. We are, like James said, people who look in a mirror and turn away, promptly forgetting what we look like.
What is the remedy? What is the spiritual Windex to clean the mirror? Well, the first step is recognizing the possibility that the image we’re seeing may be marred or blurry. If we just accept the image as reality, then all else is moot. Second, we must consider what the true image is. Depending on what element of your life is being masked, this answer will vary, but generally whatever strengthens your dependence on and relationship with God are the areas the Enemy will try to distort.
Third, clean the blasted thing! Quite obvious, no? But it’s sometimes easier said than done. Deep wounds and hidden sins can be both painful and difficult to unearth and even more to correct. But by and large the distortions can be remedied by simply turning back to the Word of God and His Spirit. Seek the truth of what God communicated through the writers, and ask Him for confirmation and affirmation. Be sure, however, to always remember that it is the death of Christ for us that redeems us and the life of Christ in us that is saving us. If you begin to drum up all the check marks in your favor in the Ledger, that will only further blur the image. Cast away all hope of deserving salvation or sanctification (I’m speaking to Christians, mind!), and throw yourself wholly at the feet of the Throne. He is the great Illusion-Shatterer. Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Fourth, rise and repeat as needed. I mean, rinse. Slip of the tongue.
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