I recently had the opportunity to minister to a group of ladies at a women’s conference. I shared with them from 2 Corinthians 3:18, which says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

I am a woman, and I was speaking to women, but isn’t it interesting that this passage isn’t gender specific? In fact, most scriptures aren’t… which means they apply to every person.

I mention this simply because we tend to think only girls wrestle with image or their mirror. But the truth is, it’s a weakness of every human heart– one the devil has discovered and targets often.

What do you see?

2 Corinthians 3:18 says with unveiled (or we could say, unmasked) face, we behold the glory of the Lord each time we catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror. I know that’s probably not how you would describe yourself (as the “glory” of God), but it’s what God sees.

I used to struggle with this thought, but I eventually realized it was because I was only looking at my mirror through my perspective.

It’s important to realize the first reason God sees His glory in us is because of His Son. Paul said in Colossians, it “…is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27). In other words, when God looks at you, He sees Jesus. This alone is enough to make you glorious!

Transformation always takes place from the inside-out, so as we grow in knowledge of God’s Word and take steps to apply it to our life, we actually begin to reflect Jesus more and more. Literally, one decision at a time, we are transformed “…into His very own image, in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another…”

Our reflection

I recently watched an ESPN documentary on the life of Chris Herron. He was an NBA basketball player who had struggled with drugs and addiction, ultimately losing his career to it. In an interview, Chris said, “Before I got sober, I always took my razor and toothbrush with me in the shower. Always. Then one day my wife asked why I didn’t do that any more. And I realized for the first time it was because I could finally look myself in the mirror. Before, even a few moments of shaving or brushing my teeth was too long to look at my own reflection. I didn’t like the person looking back at me.”

When I heard his testimony, I thought wow that is probably very relatable to a lot of people. I don’t think Chris is much different than most (including myself). I always saw my mirror as the enemy because I was ashamed of the person looking back at me— but that was before I learned to see “Christ in me.”

I want to challenge you to consider your mirror.

1. Do you avoid it?
2. Do you only glance quickly and move on so you don’t have to face it?
3. Do you see Christ in you?

Remember, life isn’t about perfection. It’s about transformation– one decision at a time. Jesus already did the heavy lifting on our behalf. God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin for us, so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christianity is an exchange of life. We traded something of ours (sin) for something of His (right-standing with God).

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you” (Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭MSG‬‬).

God’s Word always reflects His perspective, not ours.

My prayer is that you will receive God’s love and begin to see the transformation in your heart. I pray you’ll believe His Word over your past (or your feelings) when you look into the mirror of His love and grace.