Through The Looking Glass

I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who I think you think I am.

Funny enough, this little line was said in one of my classes this week. It captured my attention. It makes you think, does it not? And isn't it so true? We tend to be who we perceive others think we are. When somebody asks you to describe your personality, don't you turn to your friend and say, "Well, what is my personality? I can't describe myself!" The friend proceeds to throw a few characteristics around and you say, "Yeah, yeah, I guess I am that way. Thanks!" Or, we think a person doesn't like us, and we end up reflecting that attitude on ourselves when, in reality, that person has nothing against us. Why do we define ourselves by these worldy fabrications?

Look through the looking glass in God's eyes. How does God perceive you? Who do you think God thinks you are? It's a weird image...trying to imagine what God sees, up in heaven, looking down on me. Gosh, I am nothing compared to Him, nothing. But, he sees little ol' me, down here, going about my worldly life, as worthwhile, as His daughter. However, this is a little bit complicated. First off, I know I'm a sinner and don't deserve anything. Secondly, though, I know I am a daughter of God. So, how do those two work together? Yes, God recognizes us as sinners. Okay, so, through God's eyes, I see Him as seeing me as a sinner.

"But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."

-Romans 2:8

 

 

 

However, having the religious background that I do, I know I am also seen as a child of God. God sees me through the eyes of Jesus. I have accepted the Lord into my life. I have the Holy Spirit inside of me. But how can God see through, or past, my horrible sin?

 

 

 

"For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely."

-Isaiah 48:9

 

 

 

Well, that sounds just like Jesus is there to hold everything back for a time. Well, He is, but it is forever. We are seen as a child of God. Yes, God sees us as sinners, but for those of us who have been redeemed through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, He also sees us as His sons and daughters. Think about it - as our Father, He may have to discipline us from time to time, but His complete wrath has been reigned in. I believe, in some ways, He replaces that with a form of tough love. Some lessons are very hard to learn! But God will love us through them and always be there for us. Most importantly, He sees our hearts. He sees what we're up against. He sees our innermost being as worthwhile, which is inconceivable, considering how sinful we are as people. The only thing staying His wrath is the fact we are redeemed through Jesus Christ. He sees you as his son or daughter. Unfathomable. So, what's left? The rest is up to us to continue to live under Christ and have our decisions model what is inside our hearts.

 

 

 

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

-2 Corinthians 5:21

 

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

-Ephesians 4:30

 

 

 

 

I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am working on being the person who God knows I will become.