What do you look like in God's Mirror?

I don't know about you but sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't recognize the person staring back at me! Of course if you're below 40, you probably don't understand what I'm saying. Or maybe you do. Regardless of our age, life just has a way of running wild over our bodies, like a four-wheeler zooming over sand and cliffs and leaving tire tracks and divots and stains, we end up looking like an old race track long since abandoned!  Age, stress, and bad health steal our youthful bloom and leave us looking worn and wounded. It just doesn't seem fair.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18 NKJ

Did you know God has a mirror? It's unlike any of our earthy mirrors because it doesn't reflect what we look like on the outside. It only reflects what we look like on the inside.  Before we knew God, there was nothing but a murky, dark, shapeless mist reflected in that mirror.  Then we got saved and threw ourselves on the mercy of God and a baby appeared, a bright beautiful baby. As we grow in the Lord, learn of Him, read His Word and hang out with His people, that baby starts to grow into a small child. And if we continue to walk with God, that child becomes an adult.

But it is only through trials, struggles and persecution that the adult becomes beautiful, an incredibly beautiful being who sparkles like diamonds and shines so bright, others are drawn to Christ through him or her.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJ
Right after saying that, Paul describes what he's been through

• Hedged in, pressed, troubled and oppressed yet NOT cramped or crushed
• Suffered embarrassment and been perplexed and unable to find a way out but NOT driven to despair
• Pursued, persecuted, and hard-driven but NOT deserted or alone
• Struck to the ground but NOT struck out and destroyed

Many of us are going through some very heavy trials right now. I know, because I receive prayer requests from so many of you. My heart breaks for all the suffering in the world, and especially for the suffering of God's chosen.... yet, I came across these Scriptures in 2 Corinthians the other day and they gave me such hope. Our suffering is not in vain! It serves a HUGE purpose


Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Next time you look in the mirror and see that you are looking rather run-down, remember that if you keep pushing forward through the struggles and heartaches and trials, if you keep your eyes on God and on that celestial city, you are becoming quite the beauty in God's mirror. And that beauty will never fade or age for all eternity!

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:18 KJV