The Image in the Mirror

By Gerald Sumeracki

Deep down inside, every word and deed was calculated 
to fortify the image I projected of myself. 
My agenda was most secret, even to myself. 
I could never reveal the deep truth. 
I looked into God's mirror one day and saw a liar.

Deep down inside, my main desire was self gratification. 
I cleverly masked the real me. I hid behind my beguiling smile 
and public caring for others. 
I easily used and spitefully manipulated everyone 
for personal gain and pleasure. 
I looked into that spiritual mirror a second time 
and saw an actor and user of souls.

Deep down inside, I shielded a hot vengeance and hatred. 
My inner man's heart was made of stone and I loved 
no one but me. The third look into God's mirror revealed 
a destroyer, an unremorseful defiler of love.

Deep down inside, I was one who pathologically placed 
myself at the center of the universe and truly expected all 
to worship me for my charm and wit. 
I looked into the mirror a fourth time and saw 
greed and self centeredness staring back at me 
with a broad grin.

The mirror's truth revealed an image of all I said I hated. 
I saw the evil one standing where Christ should be. 
I saw anger, bitterness, callousness, 
deceitfulness and disloyalty, envy, frivolity, 
greed, hatred, idolatry, justifying lies, 
killing instincts, lusts, malice, notorious thoughts, 
officiousness, pride, a quick and spiteful temper, 
resentment, sexual selfishness, thoughtlessness, 
unfaithfulness, viciousness, wickedness of thought, 
a yielding to sin and a zeal.....to cleverly conceal!

Do you wonder why I failed to see something negative 
in my soul for the letter x? I felt led to leave it for you!  
If you feel what you have read remotely applies to you, 
place that letter here(   ) as you call on God 
to bring His mirror.

Acknowledge your need for tears of confession, 
your need to be saved from yourself. 
Fall before the Lord in moans of contrition 
as the truth is revealed in His mirror!

Jesus was the answer for my deficiencies. I had to 
truly yield all to him. Yes, all the garbage I carried 
had to be cast aside as I took up his burden in my life.  
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 
and I will give you rest. 
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, 
for I am gentle and humble in heart; 
and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOU SOULS. 
For My yoke is easy and My load is light."   
(Matthew 11 vs. 28-30.)

I learned that in order to live my life as God 
called me to live it required that I throw away all 
my garbage. I had to put it all down before I could be 
yoked with the love God wanted me to carry. 
It boiled down to one of two choices, 
God's "Way" or my way. 
God's mirror, when looked into honestly, 
brings the Truth.

The call is clear, the question is plain, 
the Way is provided. Will you dare to confront 
the image in God's mirror?