With steam covering the bathroom mirror, the outline of a group of words became apparent. Trying to clear the view so I could finish getting ready for work, I had been initially surprised when the image appeared. But I smiled as I remembered why it was there. Far from a supernatural occurrence, the hidden message was the remnant of a Scripture I had written on my mirror with a dry erase marker. Although now erased, the marker had obviously left behind a residue, and the words again became visible due to the steam. Ironically, the verse was 1 Peter 3:4, “Clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”
Our belief that the Word (Jesus Himself) put on flesh and came to live among humanity is an essential tenet of our faith. He was, is, and always will be the Living Word. When we choose to accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to cover our sins, we’re in essence choosing Him as our covering and Lord (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). As such, His presence and life dwells in us (Romans 8:11; Galatians 2:20).
This understanding raises a question: In a world that demands qualities of external beauty and success, what should be most visible in the life of the believer?
Like the hidden message on a mirror, the Word is to be so clearly written on our hearts that when everything else in life becomes murky and blurred, God’s truth still stands out. Our lives are a letter for the world to read; and if we claim the name of Christ, then everything about who we are should reveal the inscription of the Spirit of the living God (2 Corinthians 3:2-4). It is not written in a quick postscript or sideline article, but visible in everything we do and say.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 13:1-19
More:
Read Colossians 3:1-3 and consider how these verses should influence your choices.
Next:
Why must our definitions of success and beauty be different from the world’s? How does trying to attain what the world identifies as valuable while also trying to hold to the truth of the Word create a double-minded perspective?
conmeo on April 8, 2012 at 12:57 am
May God bless you regina and thank you. May the spirit move me in that direction
regina franklin on April 9, 2012 at 10:57 am
Dear Conmeo–How incredible it is that we serve a God whose mercies are new every morning and who longs to be in uninterrupted fellowship with us. May the invisible become visible as we live more aware of His Spirit than anything else around us. Blessings!