The Man in the Mirror

     Mirror mirror on the wall.......well in my case, on the window seal, lighted and magnifying like 75 times.  The queen in the Snow White movie talked to her mirror.  Apparently Michael Jackson did too.  I talk to mine occasionally.  What I usually say is something like 'some day I'm going to have electrolysis'. 
     So.  In the morning we look in the mirror and we are either shaving, putting on makeup or brushing our teeth.  What are we really seeing?  Our reflection.  Nothing else.  We are working on making ourselves look good to others.  Our outside is all that matters at that moment.  But what about the man, or woman, in the mirror?
     Every now and then I am reminded of an exercise to do in front of a mirror.  It's not goofy stretches or anything like that.  It's something very simple but completely life changing.  Here's what you do.  Stand in front of the mirror.  Alone.  Look at yourself.  Look at yourself in the eyes.  Then say "Jesus loves ________(insert your name here)".   Okay then say it again.  If you can say it without choking up.......well I can't.
     That mirror.  Wow.  It goes from a vain thing to a righteous experience.  A cleansing.  An awakening.  A humbling.  Looking in that mirror now you see someone real.  Someone who is special.  Special to Jesus.
     In fact, you are so special to Jesus that He gave His very life for you.  Jesus came to earth, after being involved in it's creation, and lived like a human.  He could have just shown up as an adult.  He's God.  He could have just said "Okay cancel all that 'sin' stuff.  Everybody is going to Heaven!"  But He didn't.  And He still doesn't.
     Jesus came as a baby, born in a barn and lived a humble life.  He didn't do one thing to hurt anybody.  Ever.  Yet He suffered ridicule.  He was even accused of thinking He was the King of the Jews.  (He's actually the King of Kings so they didn't quite get that right!)
     Jesus.  He took all of our sins, yours and mine, and suffered for them just like they were His own.  He wore a crown of thorns.  He was whipped and beaten.  And then He was forced to carry His own cross.....our cross.....up a hill.  At the top of the hill they put the cross on the ground and tied Him to it.  Then they drove huge spikes through his hands and His feet.  For me.  For you.
     Jesus could have called Heaven's angels to come down and destroy all of His accusers.  He could have come down off the cross at any time.  But He didn't.  Because Jesus loves __________ (insert your name here).  
     They say that when you are alone, that's the person you really are.  No show being put on for co-workers or friends.  Just you.  So the next time you are alone, please, go to the mirror.  Look yourself in the eye.  And say "Jesus loves __________ (your name)".