Articles
Man in the Mirror
Michael Jackson was an enigma. On the one hand, he seemed to be a fragile, child-like figure who wanted life to mimic Disneyland (his estate was called Neverland) and gently spoke of love and peace. On the other hand, he was an accused child-molester who lewdly groped himself while performing and repeatedly lied about cosmetic surgery and a host of other bizarre features of his life. Like many before him, he died of a drug overdose – a sick, self-centered, confused individual who was surrounded by people who couldn’t or wouldn’t help him.
What a shame that he couldn’t practice his own lyrics:
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.
Which brings us our own gaze in the mirror. James uses a mirror as an analogy to peering into the word of God: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror, for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed” (1:23-25).
Generally, the Bible discourages a focus upon self. Life is not about promoting, pleasing and pandering to self. Such self-centeredness is distorting and disorienting. It is a black hole that will suck the life out of the one who measures all things by self. God knows this and counsels us to focus on serving Him and others. In this way we are free from insecurity, anxiety, and craving to be noticed and lauded. Jesus sternly warns against trolling for praise (Mt 6:1-18).
Which brings me to “selfies,” inane, mundane posts and other “Look At Me!” social media self-promotion. While I cannot judge the motives of those who habitually overexpose themselves on Facebook, et. al., I do wonder if it is consistent with the de-emphasis upon self that the NT counsels. Exaggerated exaltation of self is spiritually corrosive, and that makes this more than just an anti-technology rant. We need to ask our-selves in all aspects of life: “Why do I feel the need to do/say this?” The mirror of God’s word is asking us to change our ways to match His will.
