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 from the Lord, the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18
When you get to the ripe old age of almost 66 years old, your eyesight may or may not get worse. In my case, it has gotten worse. Thankfully there's a painless laser procedure performed in the eye specialists' office. I had my left eye treated last week, and earlier this week I had the right one treated.
When my vision is blurry, I'm reminded that things aren't always as they appear, especially at times when I've privately (and quite wrongly) judged others, whether they're in recovery or not. Sorry my friends, I'm just keeping it real. I'm a sinner saved by grace, and sometimes I judge others. It hurts me to admit this to you, but don't you see? This is part of how God deals with me. I have to call myself out ... on myself.
But it's all good, because I'm grateful when God swats me on the bum, convicting me in the occasional passing of judgment or whatever other sin I may be playing with at the time. I'm so stoked and grateful that He is the God Who heals me. I have indeed been healed and restored from the sins of idolatry and drunkenness. God's discipline and Him humbling me under His mighty hand is actually a sign that He loves me (Hebrews 12:6). I'm also grateful that while He loves me as I am right now, He ALSO loves me too much to let me remain the same. I'm still a work in progress, working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ, no matter what it takes or how long it takes.
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye', and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)
Anyway, God is all about restoring us and bringing us from glory to glory, right? I do NOT like myself when I sin, but instead of settling into the guilt and shame like I used to when waking up from yet another night of drinking when I promised I wouldn't, I confess it to God as quickly as possible and by faith, receive His forgiveness so I can start fresh. If I or anyone else continues to swim in the cesspool of self-loathing, that's going to prevent us from living the abundant life Jesus died to give us, miss His call upon our lives, and play right into the enemy's hands. I seriously hate our enemy and the latter part is what gives me the "UMPFH" to get RIGHT BACK UP and get right with God.
I will not let the enemy rule over me, and neither should you.
In one of my most favorite Broadway productions in the world, "The Phantom of the Opera", there's a scene in the first half where Christine, the main female character, a young woman with an incredible gift of singing, begins hearing voices. Eventually and in a moment where she's doing so, she looks into the mirror and sees not her reflection, but that of the Phantom. And she doesn't appear to be afraid one bit.
Like Christine, I (and perhaps you) can hear when God is speaking. May we all - definitely myself, included - quickly obey His voice and let Him have His way with us, so we can become more like Jesus and fulfill His call upon our lives.
As you can see from the above image, like me, Christine has a long way to go before she resembles the face in the mirror. LOL.
Be blesssed. You are loved, you are prayed for, you are being restored by God one moment at a time when you are obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading in your life, and you CAN do this!
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