Looking in the Mirror

I have struggled today with so many conflicting emotions as I am sure so many others have. This day that is a day commemorated for lives lost 24 years ago; a day of mourning because of the assassination of a man that stood on faith; and just another “regular” day in this country that has strayed so far from the principles upon which she was founded.

As I exited a narrow driveway after running an errand, a full-sized pickup truck had to stop to allow me to pull out so he could pull in. Since I had my Christian radio on and my window up, I could not hear the words he was shouting at me, but by the look on his face, I do not think he was wishing me a good day. My heart broke and the tears that were so near to the surface of my heart all day could not be held back any longer. Why cannot people just be kind anymore?

I have heard a couple of people make the remark that we all just need to look in the mirror and recognize that we are all humans. I would like to have had a mirror for the man to look in that had choice words to shout at me. I would like for those who want to claim their view and opinions are more important than others, to the point of wishing harm to those who dare to speak the truth of God, to have a mirror to look in. But I also want a mirror for myself and all those who, like me, do confess to possessing a relationship with a Jesus Christ.

When we all look in that mirror, when we see the angry shouting, or the smug assurance of a “higher knowledge,” or even the broken hearted and tear filled eyes of someone who is longing just to go Home, we are seeing the very faces that Christ saw when He was being beaten, when He was being crowned with a crown of thorns, when He was being nailed to a cross, and when He was giving up His last breathe on this earth. He saw us. And He endured it all anyway.

As I was crying and wondering why people can’t just be nice and then thinking of the fact that all these people, including myself, are the very ones Christ died for, this thought hit me hard: What love God has for us! It is unfathomable! I cannot understand the evil and hatred that some people are exhibiting. Almighty God could, at any moment, withhold the very breathe that is allowing each of us to live. Instead of stopping that breathe from filling their lungs, He is still allowing time for people to come to Him! He is longsuffering. But He will not be longsuffering forever.

One day, God the Father will finally have enough. He will finally tell His Son to come get His children. Then those who are left behind, those who refuse to believe in the God that died for them, the only thing they will see when they look in the mirror then will be the face of the only person who is responsible for their eternal separation from God. Christ did everything He could do to offer every single person the chance to spend an eternity in Heaven with Him. But He will not force anyone to accept Him. That is the epitome of free speech and freedom of choice. You can say and think whatever you want, and God will not force you to change your mind. He will allow you to continue on whatever path you choose. He has offered you a way to receive eternal life, or you can refuse it. The choice is yours. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.