Mirror Mirror on the Wall....

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I've been pondering mirrors lately...in relation to this world, and how tricky it sometimes is to maneuver about in this world...the devil sure knows how to keep us going in circles trapped in his devices (although in Christ, ultimately we are no longer trapped, but there are sure plenty of illusions and strange things that he can keep us "entertained" with that waste precious time, or daily gets us turned around from where we need to be, optimally). I was thinking about the church's current "prosperity gospel" to be specific. How turned around is that? Jesus said not to lust after the things of this world (and I have to admit I have not completely conquered that hill---however, I do understand that all things of this world are dust, and do not cling to these very tightly---maybe a little more tightly than I should, though). The prosperity gospel teaches that if we put our minds to it and trust in Jesus enough, He will bless us with all kinds of material wealth and health, etc...hmmmm, and by contrast the Apostle Paul said:

 Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

That's quite an indictment....humbling, isn't it?

On the topic of mirrors, there is a very interesting little point of perspective regarding the laver in the temple of the OT. Check it out:

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Exo 38:8  And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The lookingglasses (mirrors) of the women were high polished brass similar to what is pictured above, though probably not as tarnished, so the women could see themselves in the reflection. 

Exo 40:30  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.

Exo 40:31  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
Exo 40:32  When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.

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(be sure to check out this link, very good article)

Take a moment to muse over this one with me. The laver was set between the congregation and the altar, and where Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet. There is so much going on here, main points being:

1. Washing of the hands is symbolic of purifying one's deeds before others (for me this brings to mind Pilate  washing his hands of the terrible cruelty of the people who decided Jesus's fate)

2. Washing the feet, to walk in a way that is worthy and cleansed of previous dirty places that have been trudged along in...and also it is a refreshment, even today, think of soaking and cleaning your achy feet after a long day

3. The laver is made of women's lookingglasses. What women used for vanity, became a temple device that was there for cleansing, so in applying this lesson to ourselves, what used to look so appealing (vanity) now has the appearance of how God sees us (humbling, we are in need of Him washing our hands and feet).... very different perspectives.... comparing God's perspective with how we see ourselves, eh?

Just some things to ponder as we look in our mirrors in the morning, as we dress and get ready for our day. :)