Mirror, mirror on the wall!!

 

Few days ago, while doing a developmental assessment, I asked a mother, if her child recognizes himself in a mirror, she said "No". This set in a series of thoughts which I'm going to share now.  From infancy to adulthood, how we perceive ourselves in a mirror evolves. An infant’s first encounter with a mirror is a moment of wonder. At this stage, the baby sees a reflection but does not know it is their own image. This innocence and lack of self-awareness are natural and expected. As the child grows, they begin to engage with the mirror, patting it or trying to interact with the image they see. This stage represents a budding curiosity and a partial understanding of self. As children grow much older, they tend to realize that it is in fact their image that they are seeing in the mirror.

As we grow much older, the mirror takes on a new role. No longer a source of fascination, it becomes a tool for self-evaluation. We look at our reflections, identifying flaws and making adjustments. A stray hair is tamed, a smudge is wiped away, and our appearance is refined. This progression—from unawareness to interaction, and finally to self-correction—mirrors our spiritual journey.

Just as an infant first sees the mirror without understanding its purpose, so too do we first encounter the Word of God without full comprehension. As children, we may hear Bible stories and memorize verses, but their deeper meanings elude us. As we grow in faith, our relationship with the Word deepens. We begin to see its teachings as a reflection of our lives. Like the child patting the mirror, we engage with scripture, recognizing pieces of ourselves in its pages. This engagement reveals not just God’s promises but also areas of our lives that need transformation.

In spiritual adulthood, the Word becomes our mirror for self-correction. James 1:23-25 speaks to this directly: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” The mature believer doesn’t just glance at the Word; they gaze intently, allowing it to reveal their flaws and guide their actions.

Just as a mirror reflects our physical image, the Word of God reflects our spiritual state. Yet, unlike a mirror, it offers the power to transform what it reveals. Through faith and grace, we are not condemned by our flaws but invited to correct them. This requires humility, a willingness to see ourselves as we are, and the discipline to act on what we see.

May we strive not to be like the person James describes, who forgets their reflection, but instead use God’s Word as a tool for continual growth. Just as the mirror helps us refine our outward appearance, the Word refines our hearts and minds, shaping us into the image of Christ.

In this journey, may God grant us the grace to see clearly, the courage to change, and the perseverance to grow, both in our understanding of His Word and in our likeness to Him.

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