Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror – are we at the end yet?

What do others see in you, better yet, what do you see in yourself? Many times I am concerned with other’s perception of me. If they told me what they see in me would I have an explanation or a defense? Would I invest in trying to win them to see me, my circumstances or anything concerning me from my perspective or would I learn and apply what they see to my blind spots to help me improve myself?

There is One who already knows. He knows my motives, my desires and even the “hidden” things I choose to ignore. HE knows the promises I’ve made to myself and HE especially knows the promises I’ve made to HIM. So, let’s face what I promised to do and be within 2017. Hiding from it (whatever “it” is) and ignoring it will not make it magically happen. For it to happen will take pursuit, persistence, planning and accountability. Perhaps you have a confession like the one I’ve shared here.

So, let’s place light on our plans/goals as Jesus encouraged us to do. He states in John 12:35, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.” Scripture also says, “While it is daytime, we must do the work of HIM who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:3-5).

Since we reflect HIS light, let’s be truthful, especially to HIM. Let’s be honest to HIM. Let’s be accountable to HIM. Take this time – approximately 8 weeks from the start of 2018 and the closing of 2017 is now! Reevaluate your commitments to the LORD. Be upfront and honest with your attempts, your efforts (or lack of efforts) and ask for forgiveness, new strategy, new direction and permission to finish 2017 strong – even if it wasn’t the original plans/goals.

Matthew 5 helps us understand failed attempts are not thrown out with no plan to recover. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” Matthew 5:14-16

Final thought to apply for this in-ward-spection. James 1:22-24 says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

Pray with me: Lord, you know the plans you have for me are good. Help me embrace and commit to Your ways to close 2017 on purpose, on time and on schedule. Help me put away foolishness and undisciplined tasks that are not instrumental in You winning the fruit of my efforts in this season. I commit to manage my stewardship with You and Your Kingdom in mind so others my see my good works and glorify my Father in Heaven through Jesus, The Christ. Amen!!

Now, get to work!!!!!