THE BLIND MIRROR
We have a fair amount of mirrors in our home, but I don’t spend a lot of time in front of any of them. It’s probably for the best that my eyes aren’t as spry as they used to be. I do spend enough time to see myself, what I look like anyway. What I see in the reflection of a mirror is what I strive for my reflection to be, and it goes far beyond the lines around the eyes that look back through me and into my soul.
The blind mirror can’t see beyond flesh and it reflects the lies we feed it.
We all tend to judge others we meet on a daily basis by what we see and precisely what the mirror shows, but that can’t begin to tell the story of a life that we can only grasp with our senses. Those senses, while miraculous, can be too easily fooled. We learn to be masters of portrayal over the course of our lives… but it only lasts as long as our tongue and actions are hidden from the light.
“Watch Bill over there, he can be a bit nasty,” I said in jest. The couple of people around chuckled, I could tell they were feeling a little bad for Bill who’d been standing innocently close by when I drug him into the sarcastic foray.
Bill’s a good natured guy and just laughed and played along, “Yeah, that’s me – it’s just part of being in this rowdy crowd,” he agreed.
We all smiled or laughed at the light humor of the day. As I was leaving I took aim and tossed one more sarcastic grenade. I motioned in Bill’s direction, “Well keep an eye on him, he’s tough, not near as kind or gentle as me,” I chuckled at my humor.
While I appreciate bringing smiles to other people’s faces, as well as an occasional laugh, I was taken back by the gut bustin’ laughter that exploded from the targets at whom I’d lobbed the sarcastic laced grenade. I’d meant the comment to be amusing, even funny, but not hilarious.
If I were a comedian I might have been gratified. “See you guys tomorrow,” I said smiling and exchanging pleasantries. I thought about the response as I strolled away, the smile replaced by a pinched brow. It’s funny how the perception we have of ourselves, the ones we work so hard to represent, don’t always match up with the perceptions that others have of us after they get past our front cover; the mirror…
While I wouldn’t use the term “gentle” to describe myself, I feel like I have somewhat of a gentle spirit. But what we are on the inside tends to speak for us and make up the true image that the mirror can’t hide. Beautiful, handsome, fine, none of those things can be seen in the mirror… Those attributes are measured from the inside.
The mirror is blind…
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 11:49 am
The physical mirror definitely shows the changes which are happening on seemingly a daily basis. The mirror doesn’t lie although I can cloud my eyes to what is there. I wish I could hide behind a mirror when I say things I shouldn’t, about people who don’t deserve it. I see your example as okay laughter. I have people who tease me all the time about stuff like that. They are only kidding…aren’t they? Too bad the old fairy tale: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all” is not reality. Made me think today Floyd and that’s not good, especially when it is pointed at my heart. 🙂 Love ya man!
Sharon
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 12:59 pm
Great post, Floyd! Today I published something about turning 60 this past year. I talked about getting older, yes, but I also talked a bit about what God wants to do through those of us who now qualify for senior discounts. My thoughts were closely related to yours. Yes, the mirror will never reflect the inner spirit – and that’s what God cares about. We’re studying David in our women’s Bible Study, and I was so struck by this verse:
“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT)
We will grow wiser as we grow older if we remember that the mirror does not tell the truth. What really matters is how well we reflect the image of our Lord.
GOD BLESS!
Shandra White Harris
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 5:19 pm
Perception…is Everything.
Pam
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
The Bible says we look at the outside but God looks at the heart. Sometimes I am sure He is not too pleased with what He sees in mine.
Lincoln
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 8:18 pm
So important that we look inward at all times and all situations. However, we tend to look only at the outside and what’s on the surface. Its so easy to be judgmental about others.
Hazel Moon
Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 11:39 pm
If we could have a mirror that would reflect our soul, most of would not want to stand in front of it lest others could also view it. Your crowd was having a field day with your remark and turned it around in an unkind way. I perceive you as kind and gentle, because I can view your soul. I am glad Bill was a good sport and could take a joke. Thanks so very much for allowing this to be shared at “Tell Me a Story.”
Lisa notes
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 @ 5:57 am
I think God gives us worse eyesight as we get older so that when we look in the mirror we can’t notice all our aging. ha. But spiritual eyesight? I want vision to see inside, and see reflections of Jesus in others.
Yes, the mirror is blind. Thanks, Floyd. I’ll be thinking about this today when I pass in front of mirrors.
Lynn Morrissey
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 @ 10:50 am
The mirror is blind! Now that is a quote for sure. I dont’ like looking into my mirror anymore. “Looks” are fleeting and any I had have flown. And if I look deep into my eyes, I don’t like what I see there all the time either. You’re right. Soul beauty goes a lot deeper than skin. Would that our eyes would reflect the love of Christ shining back at us. They should, for those indwelt by His Spirit. Great post …….and loved the photo too! How you ever had the time to write this w/ all going on, I’ll never know. You’re in my prayers.
Love
Lynn
David
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
The computer monitor may be blind too. I’ve often wondered if the ME read by the rabbit-trail of comments I’ve left littered behind me here in blog-land would be the me SEEN by the various blog-hosts (and other commenters) if ever we met in person. I hope so. But to be honest, that thought scares me a bit. I sometimes don’t like the guy I see staring back at me in the mirror. The mirror may be somewhat blind, but not to the eyes looking back into – and behind – the eyes that created the reflection in that mirror in the first place.
Eyes – windows to the soul – especially when those eyes are my eyes looking back at me …
My hope is, that over time, that reflection just might start to look a bit (be it ever so slightly) like a Jewish carpenter with wounds in His hands and feet and love in His eyes. Then hopefully, if ever we do meet, the ME you do see will be the ME you read …
Betty Draper
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 @ 4:16 pm
While living overseas we had very bad mirror if any and even worst lighting. After coming back to the states with good mirror and very good lighting I realized there are some lights that make me look softer then others as I look into the mirror. Just made me think of how the light of the world, Jesus Christ Himself can soften our fading bodies and see Him resting inside us. Looking forward to the mirrors in heaven, I think its a crystal sea mirror. Good honest post brother…a little peek inside our brother Floyd.
David Rupert
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 @ 6:30 am
I believe Oscar Wilde’s book – The Picture of Dorian Gray – really plumbed the depths of perception and the flesh.
In real life Wilde’s body and mind were torn between the love of God and the enticement of the sensual.
In his book, Dorian Gray had a fabulous self portrait that he hung on his wall. he was young and happy and exuberant in the portrait, but in life, Gray gave in to the world around him and succombed to its sadness. The portrait followed him into the depths, changing with the man.
Like you say, the mirror doesnt lie — as much as we want it to. Nor does the mirror of God’s word. Some want to make it show a different us — but it’s always honest. Always true.
TC Avey
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 @ 10:15 am
I guess I shouldn’t find it surprising that we are on the same page again. I posted this week about how we judge others, how we can’t see past others “flaws”.
But being a Christian should mean looking past the external to the valued person inside. To see the world through His eyes can change everything. I know it’s changing me.
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 @ 1:26 pm
I would say I’m a pretty open book, but I would also say I can be hard to get to know. I’m fairly reserved and can be withdrawn because I’m introverted. I know some can see that as arrogance or perceive it as I think I’m better or “too good to talk to” so-and-so, but it’s not the truth. Others’ thoughts and perception may hint at something, but it may just be a lack of genuinely knowing another person. Anyway, you got me thinking as usual! Thanks Floyd. 🙂
Loren Pinilis
Thursday, October 16, 2014 @ 9:57 am
Haha, sometimes our jokes have a way of shining a light on ourselves. I know once or twice I’ve talked about myself and have had people have similar reactions – I guess I’m a little blind in that way too.
child of God
Thursday, October 16, 2014 @ 3:06 pm
I tend to walk around with my heart on my sleeve, and as my mom use to say, my eyes as a window to my soul. Sometimes I think it would be wonderful to hide behind a mirror of what I want to display as being so opened leads to great heartache from those who are hard. But, I wouldn’t change it if I could for Father has reached many people for Himself through my open, bleeding heart.
Blessings brother.
Cheryl Smith
Friday, October 17, 2014 @ 8:26 am
Your post made me think of that old Dottie Rambo song, “If I could count all the tears that have fallen, well, it would look like an ocean to me, And if my heart were a window you could look through, oh, the pain and scars you would see!” What we see on the outside is such a small part of us. There is so much under the surface that is hidden, but so much more a part of us than the external. Aren’t you glad GOD looks upon the heart? He sees what is on the inside…the real, true part of us. Another song that came to my mind is the Lefty Frizzell song, “I Never Go Around Mirrors”. Remember that one? That old song is a tear-jerker. God bless you for this post, Floyd…I really enjoyed reading it.
Dolly@Soulstops
Saturday, October 18, 2014 @ 7:05 pm
Floyd,
The mirror is blind…what an insight…your comment made me think of the last set of verses in 1 Cor. 13 about how we see dimly now…and it is so true about ourselves and about how great and good God is…and I take comfort that it is a process and God is slowly changing all my soul imperfections to become more like Christ….and the part that amazes me is how God loves me in all of my flaws 🙂