by Desiree Bustamante

Who do you see in the mirror?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”
1 John 3:1-2 New Living Translation

How do you see yourself when you look in the mirror? Do you see a dearly loved son or daughter of the King? Or do you only see the flaws that lead you to believe you are a failure who will never be what you think God wants you to be? The world’s expectations of humanity are unrealistic. Are you listening to those who say that you should be yourself and pursue your dreams yet judge and deride you if you aren’t successful, beautiful, or wealthy?  Are you diminishing God’s love for you and His power in your life to fulfill your true purpose?

Where is your focus? If you spend too much time looking at the world from its viewpoint, hopelessness and despair will slowly pervade your mind and soul and you will feel discontented. But if you turn to God and listen to His voice through His word, your thoughts will be transformed to His thoughts and that person you see in the mirror will reflect your true self, a beloved child of God who has a special place in His heart and a unique plan for you.

If you truly know God, you are His child. Nothing can change that. And when He returns, you will see Him as He really is, not through a distorted, worldly reflection. Take joy in knowing that God loves you more than you can imagine, and no one can steal that from you. Ever.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado