What Do You See?

Close your eyes and imagine this: you’re standing in front of a mirror. What do you see? You’ll probably say a person with many flaws. But look harder, look deeper. Which set of eyes are you looking with? If you tune into your spiritual eyes you’ll start to see an enormous power. You’ll start to see the One Who spoke and the universe leapt into existence. You’ll see power that divides seas and rivers. Power that stops time and even sends it backwards. You’ll see power that heals sick people on their deathbeds from great physical distances. And you’ll see power that can give life, take life, and resurrect life. This image you see in the mirror, does it resemble you? Do you recognize it? Is it familiar? You see the only thing that keeps us from doing the will of God is our selfishness. When we are consumed with self, there is no room for God. He’s not a bully, He will not force His way in. It’s only when we submit to God to do His will that we have access to all of this power. This power is not to use for ourselves. It’s not for us to abuse. It for us to help unify, to build up, to love, to share with people , and in the process bring Glory to God. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it an image of you? Or is it an image of Jesus? There’s only room for One in your life. Either you serve yourself, or you serve God. If you choose the former, there will be no room for God’s Spirit to empower you. If you choose the latter, then you must do what Jesus tells us to do, that is doing what He did. In order to make room for Jesus, we must die to self, take up our cross, and follow Him. The world yearns for power, focuses on getting power, then abuses it when they get a little bit of it. Christians have a power beyond the capacities of this universe. We have the answer to life’s problems, but yet never realize or use it because we tend to focus solely on ourselves. To think we have the potential to move mountains and rescue lost, hurting, and lonely people, restoring them and giving them hope, should’ve more than enough reason to deny ourselves, taking a back seat in order for Jesus to take over at the wheel. It’s just a matter of dying to self (denying yourself). Once you make that daily decision, your world will never be the same. Who/what do you see when you look in the mirror?

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else–not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. Ephesians 1:19-23

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?27 For the Son of Man will come with His angels in the glory of His Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28