Look In The Mirror Lately?
Look In The Mirror Lately?
As we get ready to start a new week, I have a question to ask each of you. What is one of the first things we as men do, in getting ready for the week ahead? That’s right we look in the mirror, most likely in the bathroom. Looking daily in the mirror, is part of part of our everyday routine. We wash our face, brush our teeth or check to see we have it all together, externally that is.
I would like to ask you to take it one step further. As we check ourselves out externally, we should also look in the mirror to check ourselves internally. You ask what does that mean. It is really quite simple. As you are in front of the bathroom mirror, you might ask yourself a few questions leading to a better understanding of where you are emotionally, physically, mentally and most importantly spiritually. I like to call this part “checking my oil”.
You might start by asking yourself the following; in checking your spiritual condition. Have you been blessed this week? What is going right in your life? On the flip side you might consider determining if anything troublesome is consuming you or what is going wrong in your life at this moment. Secondly, if anything is going right or wrong, God’s word tells us we must be in prayer, no matter the situation or circumstance. So I ask are you in God’s word and are you praying consistently? If you committed to diligently praying: great and if not why not? During your time in His word, what is he telling/teaching you? Are you praying? Are you praying for others as well as yourself?
I always remember the acronym I was taught earlier in my life for prayer: ACTS. Adoration is telling God how much you love and adore Him. Confession is telling God the many ways you have let Him down and admitting your failure(s) and seeking His forgiveness and seeking repentance. Thankful for his continued love, forgiveness and guidance, you are constantly reminded of how much He loves you and wants to be a part of your life. Supplication is a big, fancy word for prayer. Have you prayed for not only the big and hairy stuff, but the small stuff as well? He wants it all. Have you prayed for others? It is important to do so, as it is, as they say: not all about you.
Have you been in formal worship/celebration this week or even recently? Admittedly, there have been times in my own life where I did all the right things but felt a disconnect when in formal worship. I am not saying it is right or wrong, but truly seek to understand your reasoning.
Have others around you seen you live out your faith in a non-confrontational manner this week? You are not to keep your faith to yourself. You need to let others see your relationship with Christ has made a difference in your life. Others truly want to see someone who is different. So go out on a limb and show them.
Finally and most importantly, have you made yourself accountable in a relationship with another man in whom you have both built a trust factor where you both can be transparent with each other, holding nothing back. This is truly imperative for one, especially a man seeking to live a vibrant Christian life, for others to see.
So until next week, there are many men looking and yearning to find someone just like you. So go out and make a difference in the men all around you.
Walking along side you,
