Up Close and Personal

I really have no idea what the back of my hair looks like on any given day. Aside from those times that I sit in the stylist’s chair and he swirls me around at the end of a haircut to examine his handy work, I have no clue. The other day it occurred to me that I might be the exception on that approach. I am all for simplicity, but perhaps I need to take a moment each morning and find a mirror to check out what is going on back there.A few days after this nagging thought, I found myself in a hotel room as we were traveling. Attached to the bathroom wall was a make-up mirror. You surely are familiar with what I am talking about… it was the kind that magnifies every cell on your face. If you know me at all, you will find it a real shocker to learn that I don’t own a make-up mirror either. I find the rear view mirror of my car to be an acceptable substitute on most mornings.As I was trying to multi-task getting ready in the hotel bathroom, it was easier to use this halo of exposure. So, I leaned over and started applying my eyeliner. It was an excruciating experience. I could see every wrinkle, every blemish, every freckle, and every eyebrow hair that needed attention weeks ago. I laughed to myself and thought that my daily ignorance is bliss. I don’t really care to get that close to myself again.As I reflected on both mirror observations (no pun intended), it occurred to me that it is not our physical beauty that needs the most frequent magnifying. Now don’t get me wrong – if you like the make-up mirror, go for it. If it brightens your day, then by all means keep that thing out. For me, it was a little more information than I wanted. The question is, what in our lives needs magnifying? Are we examining the things that truly matter? Do we examine our motives? Do we examine our reactions? Do we put a magnifying glass on those areas of our life that we know are less than God’s best?This make-up mirror had the audacity to have a light shining from it. If we truly want to be the women God created us to be, we need to allow light to shine on every area of our lives. I have limited control on the wrinkles appearing on my face, but every day I have the opportunity to live a life that is authentic and honoring to the Lord. God already knows every weakness that we have. The light is not going to reveal something new to Him, but is going to give us the opportunity to be set free to be truly known, truly loved, and truly changed for good.When is the last time you were still before the Lord and asked Him what in your life needs to be brought to the light?