The Man In The Mirror
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught up in the criticism we hear all around us? From the media, the Left, the Right, the church, the Government, everyone criticizing and complaining about what everyone else is doing or saying or isn’t doing…it is maddening.
It’s rather easy to criticize what other people do or say. No real talent needed there. I can be just as guilty sometimes about judging how someone else is doing something because “I” wouldn’t do it that way; or I can’t believe they struggle with that; I’ve never struggled with that. How easy it is to condemn another person rather than try to put ourselves in their shoes and wonder what they must be going through for them to have chosen that path.
We all struggle, but we struggle differently. What may be difficult for you may be easy for me. What may be a temptation for you may be something I could never be tempted to do. I’ve never been tempted to do drugs, but I know people even in my own family who have trouble with that and have made a mess of their lives because of that weakness. I’ve never been tempted to cheat on my husband (because he is amazing and hot!) but I personally know others who have fallen to the temptation to cheat.
The Word states in Galatians 6:1-5 MSG says, “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, (not complain about him or judge him) saving your critical comments for yourself. You might need forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed (offer to help). Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you areand the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that (look at yourself not others) Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Let that sink in a minute…it is not anyones job to judge, complain about or look down their nose at another person for ANY reason. No one can change anyone else, make anyone else do what we want him or her to do or need them to do. Our job is to look in the mirror and change that person…Michael Jackson in his song “Man In The Mirror” said it best…
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
If we start looking at ourselves, our bad habits, our sin, our shortcomings, our own weaknesses and choosing to ask the Holy Spirit for the help we need to change, then He can step in and give us the grace to face the truth about ourselves and address it. He can help us to repent and see real change come to our hearts. It’s when we begin to truly see ourselves for the messed up people we can be, only then can we begin to change. We will never change if all we do it point our finger at other people.
Pride causes us to look down at others while exalting ourselves. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” God came in the flesh and walked around being the change he wanted to see. ”Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38b
Maybe if each of us could humble ourselves and begin to change from the inside out instead of asking others to change we would see criticism and judgment cease. If we began to pray and not complain how much more could God do through us? #havemercy