Mirrors.... without the smoke...

I sat here this morning and was going to write a fun imaginary story about whatever was in my mind at the moment but that brought me to a more serious place.
What do you see when you look in a mirror? This can go any number of ways so I'll present what I see every morning. I see a guy who is aging. I see the guy who has made some right and wrong choices and I don't think he's made all of them yet. I see a guy that wonders what today will bring. As the image in the mirror stairs back at me he appears insecure sometimes. Other times he doesn't have time to reflect on the one staring at him. I also look in the mirror and see my biggest problem causer. I also see a human being capable of loving.
You've heard the old saying something like "it's all smoke and mirrors". A clear statement regarding the illusion of something being what it really isn't. My first paragraph was without the smoke. Add the smoke and it goes like this.... what a good looking guy you are, everyone must love you, I am the image of success and nobody did it but me, I am smarter than all those around me, I don't need anyone else but me. All lies. I could do nothing without the guidance of my elders. I am lost without knowing I am loved. I can't stand knowing there are those out there that don't like me. and ultimately the Creator of all things doesn't need me but he does love me.
After looking in the mirror I ask myself, what am I reflecting to others? I know I can be grouchy and impatient. I know anger seems to consume me more than peaceful resolution. I know depression and frustration well. What do others see in me? What does my wife see? My kids?
I have not been the man I wanted to be and yet things seem OK. I ridicule my life and yet I have peace. My intentions are good but my choices don't always match my intentions. So I look in the mirror.
A normal conversation with myself brings some clarity but am I really talking to myself? Is my spirit trying to regain ultimate authority over my mind and body in these conversations or is my mind trying to beat down my spirit.(the space bar on this computer isn't reponding every time I touch it and it's allowing anger to creep in) The space bar on this computer is a perfect example of allowing a temporary circumstance to defeat the goodness in me and it's really a minor inconvenience that won't last. The word teaches us we are made in the image of God. He is the ultimate trifecta immortal and we are created in his image. We are comprised of three components. I Thessalonians 5:23 gives us the order expected by our Creator. Look it up. Spirit, soul (mind), and body. Order matters. If the spirit in me is in tune with my creator it rules the other two. An evil intent is born in my mind but if the spirit rules that intent is extinguished prior to action by my body, actions include using my physical attributes to cause harm. If the mind rules then the spirit is quenched and the body reacts to the mind spreading hate and discontent. In logical thought the body cannot rule over the mind or spirit. Order of rule can be a couple of combinations, spirit over mind over body or mind over body quenching the spirit. So how do I keep the order stated in I Thessalonians? It starts by keeping my spirit fed with the things of God. Study His word, spend time in the presence of others seeking and worshipping Him. Pray. Exercise the gifts of the spirit. Learn how to combat the wiles and ways of an enemy within and without. Trust Yahweh completely. Remove the doubt in my mind. Live as a reflection of Christ. If I can maintain my spirit ruling my mind all is well. The minute my mind takes control all hell breaks loose. I start to doubt the good in my life. I become rebellious and discontented. I find fault in everything. My confidence disappears. Chaos rules and all semblance of order is gone. Sound familiar?
I can't tell you how to deal with you but I know how to deal with me. I always turn back to the Almighty, He's the source of order and we need order. I have to humble myself before him and repent for my lack of inner control. It's a continual process. Rebel, humiliate myself, repent, start over. If I keep my journal in order I notice a pattern. The longer I study and pray, the longer the spirit stays in control. If I back off the mind takes over and everything loses purpose.
If motivation were the key to maintaining the proper order then being in the will of Yahweh would be the right motivation. What is is will? The simplest answer is simply give Him honor and obey. How do we give him honor? We be a reflection of him on the earth, ultimately we are the testament of his goodness in all of creation. We are on display. All of nature looks at us, if you don't believe it read the book of Ecclesiastes. We are on display for the angels. Angels weren't created in his image, we are. Look up the order of authority in His creation, it may surprise you. Most importantly is love. Christ taught that his Father is LOVE, total and complete. Love is total forgiveness of all offenders, don't be confused there are still penalties for offenses that must be paid in accordance with the laws of God and man but forgiveness says in my heart and actions all is forgiven. A pet peeve of mine is people who say they can't forgive or say they can forgive but can't forget, is that the way Yahweh says he forgives us? I think not and I am glad. His grace and mercy are complete he expects the same from me. Besides, if you can't forgive and forget you are saying you aren't required to do that... WRONG!
The spiritual reality is, you must exercise the same grace and mercy as your Creator. It's really simple when order is, as He intends, correct internally and externally. If we start thinking His will is complicated we are setting ourselves up to fail. His love is so complete he has made mirroring him very simple, he wants you and I to succeed. You may not agree with any of this but have you checked your order? Who's in charge or are you blowing smoke at yourself while looking in the mirror?

As a Prologue I must admit I still struggle with maintaining order but I know what key to use to lock chaos and confusion up and what key to use to establish order. What's the old saying try, try and try again? I say push yourself harder, get out of the box and discover the character of Yahweh and you'll discover who He intended you to be.

In Him.