Do I Really Look That Bad?

"You find God in yourself and yourself in God.” -- Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582)

A mirror hangs on the wall of our chaplaincy office. I suppose it is primarily for decoration. Or maybe it is to check ourselves before we hit the floor to respond to whatever comes our way. But the mirror is warped. It has a flaw that sends a distorted reflection back at anyone who looks into it. Every time I catch my image in it, I think,

"Do I really look that bad?"

While no one will ever confuse me with a runway model, I'm still always caught off guard when I see the person looking back at me through this distorted lens. But then, after a short pause, I remember. What I see isn't an accurate reflection. It is not a true measure of what I look like or who I am.

It's only an image.

It's an illusion.

But something in my mind always needs convincing and reassurance otherwise when I see it.

There are lots of imperfect mirrors around me. I see a lot of distorted images of myself. I see them when I gaze too intently at the mirrors of success, failure, comparison, accomplishment, envy, and so much more.

There is only one place I can see a pure reflection of who I am; In the face of Christ.

I am not Christ, but I am made in Christ's image. Thus, the more clearly I see and recognize Christ, the more clearly I will see and recognize my TRUE self.

God, help me to see and know you today. Help me to see and know myself today in you.