Who do you see in the mirror?

WHO DO YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR?

Watching a documentary the other night, I was shocked to hear of another pastor who has left the faith and ministry because of ethical and moral failure. The news has been full of stories like this in recent years. What is happening? Why are so many giving in to greed, sexual lust, pride, arrogance, or selfish wants. And it’s not just pastors. This applies to many Christian folk, men and women, young and old as well. It can be demoralizing at times hearing these stories. At times I feel embarrassed introducing myself as a pastor as I don’t want to be associated with this.

Have we lost sight of Who we represent and Who we are to reflect? Is there a cure or way to prevent myself slipping into the same trap?

I couldn’t help taking a longer look than normal at the person staring back at me from the mirror the other morning. I asked the question, “Who are you really?” “Who are you becoming?”

It’s hard to be dishonest about your answers when staring at yourself in the mirror, and It made me think of the words of a pop song from a number of years ago called, ‘Man in the Mirror’. The singer said,

I’m starting with the man in the mirror,
I’m asking him to change his ways;
And no message could’ve been any clearer;
If you want to make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself, And then make a change…

It all has to do with that man (or woman) in the mirror. What is driving him (or her)? Can he be a better man? A more honest man? A nicer man? A man of character and integrity?

There is hope! Paul gives us a powerful and graphic clue in Philippians 2:3-5, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”

‘Mindset’ make me think of ‘setting my mind’ in a particular way or having my mind moulded in a particular fashion, i.e., deciding how I am going to think (like Jesus thought), how I am going to respond (like Jesus would), and what attitude I am going to have (one that screams ‘JESUS!’). This is sooo difficult, right?

It is the most absurd thought that Jesus washed Judas’ feet knowing what Judas was going to do that very night! Yet a mindset of humility, love, and valuing Judas’ needs above His own drove Jesus on to wash Judas’ feet!

As you think about this, put yourself in Judas’ place knowing your sin against Jesus. Now put yourself in Jesus’ place washing the feet of someone who has hurt or sinned against you. What mindset do you have?

Friend, you can protect your heart, life, and ministry from moral and ethical failure. It all begins with how we see ourselves compared to others. What drive us. Our needs verses other’s needs. Conflict and hurt. Selfishness vs. Selflessness. Proverbs 4:23 compels us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The command is simple but the application takes a ‘setting of the mind’ – firm determination.

Why not try this exercise: Take a few minutes each day to meditate on one of the attitudes below from Philippians 2. Make that attitude your theme or thought for the day. As you think on it, think how it relates to Jesus and how He became the embodiment of each word. Then just be the same.

Humility.

Self-sacrifice.

Valuing others above your yourself / Seeing others as more important than yourself.

Self ambition vs. Others ambition – (Ambition: a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.)

Jesus-like attitude/mindset.

Jesus-like character.

A man, after marvelling at a beautiful sculpture of a horse, asked Michelangelo, “How did you create such a beautiful sculpture?” Michelangelo looked up at the statue and replied, “It was easy. I just removed everything that did not look like a horse!” We have to do the same, remove everything from our character that does not look like Jesus.

The next time you look at yourself in the mirror I hope there is a change. I hope the face you see reflects back more of Jesus and less of you. When you are with people I pray that after you leave them they are left thinking about Jesus. May you decrease so that He can increase (John 3:30).