A Day-by-day devotional

February 24, 2023

Reflection

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 7-8

Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 27:19

Before going out of the house to go to work, school or an appointment, we would have looked in the mirror at least once.

Long before our present day mirrors were invented, reflective surfaces made of polished glass-like volcanic rock called obsidian were used.

When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13:12, stating “For now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face,“ he was referring to ancient mirrors which only provide a dim reflection. Glass mirrors as we know them today have not been invented until the discovery of processing silvered glass by the German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. Thanks to him, that when we face a mirror now, we would be able to see a representation of our physical attributes which are highly similar to reality.

It is unfortunate to say though, that, even though silvered glass mirrors are able to show us how we look like, it has no ability to reflect beneath the surface. Beyond every face is a real person expressed in an emotion. It could be happy or sad. It could carefree or anxious. It could be hopeful or desperate. Whatever the face displays would be reflected in the mirror, but not what goes behind it.

For all we know, the reflected image on the mirror is just a masquerade. Loneliness can be covered up by a smile. Fear can be hidden by rage. And yes, a deteriorating health concealed by make-up. Nonetheless, no matter how much we put up front, in order to brave the battles that we face, what goes beneath and beyond cannot be hidden from our Maker.

Whatever you are going through, even when you try so hard to disguise it to reflect and broadcast another you to the world, God sees through you. He knows every single detail. And He understands. Therefore, why do you have to try to hide it from Him as well? Go to Him as you are, with all your burdens and cares. Lay down before Him the pain and frustration of every failure and suffering.

When you come and face Him, even if you only see a poor reflection of yourself as though facing an ancient mirror, God does otherwise. He may be displeased about your shortcomings but His sight goes beyond that. Instead, He would look at you and say, “I see you. The real you. And I love who I see.“

Reflection: We often try to hide our struggles, to appear stronger to the world. In doing so, the pain from our sufferings are pushed down, pounding our heart and breaking it all the more into pieces. Sit at the feet of Jesus and hand Him the broken pieces that only He can put back together.

Prayer: Dear God, whenever I look at myself in the mirror and detest what I see, help me to see myself how you see me. Thank you for loving who you see. Amen.

For a more creative reflection, turn to this poem I wrote in 2016 during coffee break at work: https://ellainericiel.com/2023/02/24/beneath/