Questions

"...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

We just can't help it- everyday at some point we look in the mirror. To some it is an exercise in self-esteem: we see ourselves and say, "wow, I have a face that others could love!" But for most of us, it is more like an experience in reality: we see ourselves and think, "wow, I have a face that only a mother could love!"
Either way, we all face questions like, "Why did God make me like this? Who am I? Does my life really matter? What do others think of the way I look and act?"

The problem is that we try and answer these questions from Hollywood's perspective- you know- Tinsel town? In Tinsel town everyone is beautiful and life is oh so much better than mine. Hollywood has created a monster called the "world mirror"... (run for your lives!)

As a result, most teenagers suffer from what some call a poor self-image. They don't like the way they look. They think that they are being continually watched and criticized by others. After time and enough glances in the "world mirror"... , the poison of self-doubt, frustration, and discouragement creeps into their thinking.

The real question, though, is not what we see when we look at our reflection in the "world mirror"... . Rather the true issue is what God sees when He looks at us - and that is a whole different story!

The Bible tells us several truths about what He sees when He looks at us, because He is using the "God Mirror"- so let's take a look -

First of all, He sees us as specially created and uniquely made individuals. David put it this way in Psalm 139:13,14:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;"

Just like David, you have been personally designed by God as a customized creation. From the color of your eyes to your thumbprint to your personality - the Master Himself has specially crafted you. Just remember the old saying: "God don't make no junk!"

Secondly, He sees us as saints. All throughout the New Testament Christians are called "saints." Essentially what this means is that the self-image of worthlessness and guilt are not the true reflection of you. God's Mirror was designed through the lenses of the cross. He sees you as forgiven, pure, and holy.
When God sees you, He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Wow!

Finally, He sees you as His very own child. You are a child of the King: a royal member of the highest Kingdom in the universe. According to Galatians 1:7

"you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

This means that you are a family member who is entitled to all of God's blessings.

So the next time you look in the mirror, don't focus on the size of your nose or the shape of your body or the number of your zits. Forget the "world mirror", it's as warped as the ones at the amusement park. Instead, look in God's Mirror and think to yourself, "I am a unique creation, a holy saint, a child of the King." Over time, the true reflection of yourself will become clear, and you will know what it's like to be more than a "conqueror".

P.A.