"We are mirrors of God, created to reflect him." -Ernesto Cardenal
This is one of my favorite quotes by Ernesto Cardenal. I think it is so powerful to think that we are suppose to reflect God. I started reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan last night, and in the Foreword Chris Tomlin is talking about how we were given the name Christians. In Acts 11 verse 26, it says that "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Called, not named themselves, but they were called. They were labeled "Christians" by the way they lived their lives, they stood out. Unfortunately, for most people the same is not true today. I was told a few weeks ago that "Perception is reality." What you reflect is how people are going to see you. We were created to reflect God, but I cant help but realize if we were to look in the mirror, not at our physical appearance; but at our spiritual appearance what would we see? Chances are, that although we may have reflections of God, he might be hidden under the drinking, lying, stealing, and many other things that control our life. It is not a sin to drink moderately, but it does say in the Bible not to drink in excess and that leaders are held to a higher standard. I don't have a problem with other people drinking, but 2nd Peter says that we are not supposed to let our bodies be mastered by anything. My family has a problem with addictions to things. Drugs, alcohol, smoking, I would just rather not risk the chance. As I said, this isn't about drinking, it is about what we reflect. If the same people who gave the disciples the title "Christian" were to come to America today, would they be able to look at us and say "Christian."? Matthew 7:20 - "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." We are a people of appearances, we spend so much time and money on clothes, jewelry, shoes, makeup, hairstyles, all kinds of things to make us fit in with society. How much time do we spend working on making ourselves look like God? We are too focused on our physical appearance and not focused enough on our spiritual appearance. We weren't called to enjoy what everybody else enjoys and praise God too, we were called to be IN the world, but not OF the world. If we are suppose to be reflecting God, how are we portraying God to the world? I certainly don't serve a God who is drunk, or who cares more about clothes than does helping the poor and needy, or who lies, gossips, the list can go on. I just want God to be able to look at me and see his reflection, not my own.
