A Clear Look in the Mirror

(Today’s post is the first in a new blog category called Life Abundant. In this space, I’ll be writing about everyday life—a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I hope you’ll sometimes find something that moves you, speaks to you, or is at least useful!)

Has God ever given you a vision? I mean a real vision you can see in your mind’s eye as clear as day. I’m old enough to qualify for the senior discount at the grocery store, and it was only recently that God allowed me to see that kind of vision. A couple of years ago I was reading a book about shame. Then as clearly as if I was gazing in a mirror, I saw myself one day standing before God. When he looked at me, he saw the perfection of Jesus Christ. Instead of my sinful human self, God saw me holy and perfect, washed in Christ’s perfection. I was even wearing a long white robe or gown of some sort. Seriously! That vision has stuck with me since that day. I can bring it to my mind just like it happened yesterday. It always fills me with God’s perfect peace to be able to look forward to the day when that vision becomes reality.

But what about today? When I look in the mirror, do I really see myself as God sees me? In the groups that I lead for women who are childhood sexual abuse survivors, I’m always encouraging them to see themselves as God sees them. I often remind them of Psalm 139:14—Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it, and Ephesians 2:10a—For we are God’s masterpiece. Thinking of yourself as a masterpiece isn’t easy when you’ve lived a shame-covered life.

This morning when I read today’s devotional from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson © 2004, 2011, 2014 Sarah Young), God allowed me another vision.

I approve of you continuously, for I see you cloaked in My Light, arrayed in My righteousness. There is no condemnation for those who are clothed in Me! That is why I abhor the use of guilt as a means of motivation among Christians.

When I read those words, I again clearly saw myself standing before God, this time here on earth and alive in my earthly body. When God looked at me, he saw me awash in the perfection of Jesus Christ. Seeing that vision, I realized I don’t have to wait for judgment day to stand before God as holy and perfect. God has already given me the “garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10) through Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). That’s right now, today.

I know God forgives me when I stumble, yet I still bear a heavy burden of guilt when I fail. That’s especially true when I stumble in an ongoing, long-term sin struggle. I so want to be obedient, and yet I still sin. I can easily relate to Paul in Romans 7:19—I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Can you relate? But God forgives me my sin when I ask. Instead of overwhelming guilt when I sin, what I should be feeling instead is overflowing JOY because nothing can separate me from God’s love—not even the powers of hell! Christ already paid the price, and because he did, as God looks at me today, in this very moment, he is able to see his perfect masterpiece. If I’m looking clearly in the mirror, I should see it too!