Remember the children’s story in which the queen looks in her mirror every day and asks, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
Everything seemed to be okay as long as the mirror confirmed that she was the most beautiful women in the kingdom. However, one day the mirror came up with another answer and the queen became obsessed with ridding the kingdom of her rival. Jealousy reigned.
When we focus on what others think of us, whether it be a person or a magic mirror, trouble will come to our kingdom.
Who should define us? What should define us? There are three stories that we play a role in – our own story, Christ’s story, and the world’s story.
We have to play a part in each of these. We are alive, we live and move and think. Therefore we have a life story which must connect with both Christ’s story, and the world’s.
If we identify too closely with the world, we begin to look into its mirror and desire the admiration of the world. We want to live up to society’s definition of beautiful or smart or good.
But if we draw close to Christ and look into His mirror, we will want to be more like Him. We will live and move and think in a way that pleases Him. I’ve found that when I’m with someone I admire, my mannerism and voice unconsciously tend to mirror theirs. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we acted and sounded like our Savior without even thinking about it? It can happen, if we spend a lot of time with Him and if we truly love and admire Him – if we allow Him to define us.
Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches.
(NIV1984)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
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