Wisdom's Call: 30 Days in the House of LifeSample

MIRROR IMAGE

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. (Proverbs 27:19)

We are entranced by our own image, borderline obsessive either by the satisfaction or dissatisfaction it brings. Snap a group picture, and we judge whether it needs a retake based on how we look! Whether on a camera or in the mirror, we often miss seeing more deeply than just our physical image. We miss that God’s image is stamped on us, His living, moving, flesh machines with souls that need no external electrical wall outlets but somehow, by grace, manage to breathe, live, love, hurt and be hurt, and make more after our own kind.

There are few clearer and more absolute visions of God’s image than our reflection in the mirror, but how often do we stop to regard the most obvious and persistent evidence of God’s imprint on humanity? Whether it’s visually tracing our features in a pool of water, in a quick side-glance in a shop window, or as we stand square on facing the mirror every morning and evening, multitudes of opportunities every day reveal to us that we are God’s handiwork, the only artistry that bears Wisdom’s image.

And yet every day, we walk away from the reflection that reveals the inconsistencies between our image and our actions. We look into the most penetrating mirror of all—the Word of God. Oh, that revealer of hearts that penetrates to the marrow of our motivations! We close the reflective book, forgetting that we were made for the life that wisdom brings—not the foolish actions that bring destruction to ourselves and others.

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22–25)

We behold ourselves in the gospel mirror as we truly are, yet walk away ignoring what wisdom has shown us; that we are fallen, and desperately in need of Christ’s total redemption. We exult in the bold, gradient shadings of a perfect peach-tinged sunset, yet we turn away from it and step right over the wounded, grey-faced man lying in the street who bears the very image of God. What we ignore of self extends to what we are willing to ignore about others. When we forget our faces, we willfully crush and abuse our neighbor with our arrogance, self-righteousness, harsh and cruel words, and unjust actions.

Wisdom encourages the believer to watch our lives and doctrine closely to be sure there is harmony between what we know about God, and how we obey Him; it’s of vital importance that our ethics and our epistemology match. Moreover, Christ gives the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit to make this visage consistent as we reflect His character to the Folly-dwellers, so that their cries of our hypocrisy are empty.

How bold of Wisdom, to constantly remind us of who we are without Christ, and who we are with Him; that’s a truly sober estimate. We have been set free by the law of liberty. We move out of the bondage of the house of Folly and destruction and enter through the open door the House of Liberty; the House of Wisdom; the House of Life.

Come to the mirror of the soul that shows you not only as you are, but as all that you are supposed to be.

How good of Wisdom, to save us from ourselves!

This study was taken from the book Wisdom's Call: 100 Mediations for a Life in Christ by K.A. Ellis. To continue your journey, please consider purchasing a copy.