Heart Reflection

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man" (Proverbs 27:19).

Did you look in the mirror today? Of course you did. You want to look your best. What were you looking for? Dirt, wrinkles, blemishes, age spots, things out of place? The reflection in the mirror gives you a fairly accurate perspective of reality. It lets you know what has been neglected, what has changed and what needs your attention.

Our heart, like a reflection, reveals the true me. Just as you look in the mirror each day for an accurate reflection, so to should we take an honest look at our heart. We are looking for blemishes, dirt, anything out of place, in other words, we are looking for sinful attitudes, false thinking. Is your heart wrinkled with age because you haven't allowed new truth, the life giving Word, to penetrate, change and renew? Have you applied the cleansing soap of confession and repentance?

Are the eyes of your heart dim, droopy, or closed? Have you lost your joy, your spark for life, for people, for the Lord? Is your heart weighed down with anxiety, fear, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, frustration, hurt, disappointment? It's time to identify and remove these obstructions, these calluses, these blinders from your heart. Cast them on the Lord. He cares for you. Pray, praise and give thanks.

Are there cuts, wounds, bruises? Apply the healing ointment of friendship, counsel, the encouragement of the Word and the presence of the Lord. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double minded.

When you look at your heart is it looking back, or is it looking in the wrong direction? Is it avoiding, shamed, anxiously looking into the future or closed off from painful past experiences? It's time to take a prolonged look into the eyes of your heart. What kind of man do you see? Do you see a wise man, a righteous man, a faithful man, a man that fears the Lord? The next time you look in the mirror, don't just look at the outward appearance, look at the reflection of your heart. It reveals the man you truly are.