Mirror of Our Present Reality
Mirror of Our Fondest Hopes
Mirror of God’s Earnest Longing for Us
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness
Genesis 1:26a (World English Bible)
Genesis 1:26a (World English Bible)
Introduction
Consider for a moment the three distinct mirrors above. In your mind let each mirror reflect different aspects of yourself as defined below.
Mirror of Our Present Reality
As you look at the first mirror let it represent the mirror that reflects the way you currently see yourself and your present reality. Notice there are several spots that do not reflect. What do these “blind spots” represent to you? Why are there blind spots? Can perhaps others see these things that you are blind to?
Mirror of Our Fondest Hopes
Let the second mirror represent the reflection of how you wish your life to be. Let the light reflecting through the rainbow of colors be a metaphor for your many hopes surrounding your life. What is your fondest hope for your life? If this mirror actually worked and showed reflections of your most sincere desires, what would it reveal?
Mirror of God’s Earnest Longing for Us
Let the third mirror represent the reflection of God’s earnest desires for our lives. Notice that light seems to be emanating from the mirror. What might this light represent? If this mirror actually worked and genuinely displayed God’s earnest longing for your life, what would the reflection look like?
Questions to Consider
Are the reflections from these three mirrors different? Why? Do they need to be? Or could your dreams, God’s dreams, and your actual real life experience be one and the same? As we look deeply into the three mirrors and see God’s dream for your life, your dream for your life and your current reality, is there anything keeping these three reflections from revealing the same image?
Is there a difference between the hopes you have for your life and God’s hope for your life? If there is a difference and you could only choose one of these hopes to live out, which do you suppose would bring you more joy? Which would allow you to sense you were living the purpose of your creation?
Is there a difference between your current reality and your dreams for your life? Is there a difference between your current reality and God’s dreams for you? If so, why?
Call to Action
As you consider if there are any differences between the three reflections of God’s earnest longing for you, your dreams and your present
reality, what comes to mind? What practical action can you take so that these three images become more closely aligned? What steps will you take to have your dreams more connected with God’s dreams for you? If you are not living into your hopes, what practical steps can you take to move closer to living out your dreams? Pick something you can do today to more closely align the reflections of the three mirrors and then do it.
Final Thoughts
Be Thou My Vision
Words attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 6th century; translated from ancient Irish to English by Mary E. Byrne in 1905, and versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Consider for a moment the three distinct mirrors above. In your mind let each mirror reflect different aspects of yourself as defined below.
Mirror of Our Present Reality
As you look at the first mirror let it represent the mirror that reflects the way you currently see yourself and your present reality. Notice there are several spots that do not reflect. What do these “blind spots” represent to you? Why are there blind spots? Can perhaps others see these things that you are blind to?
Mirror of Our Fondest Hopes
Let the second mirror represent the reflection of how you wish your life to be. Let the light reflecting through the rainbow of colors be a metaphor for your many hopes surrounding your life. What is your fondest hope for your life? If this mirror actually worked and showed reflections of your most sincere desires, what would it reveal?
Mirror of God’s Earnest Longing for Us
Let the third mirror represent the reflection of God’s earnest desires for our lives. Notice that light seems to be emanating from the mirror. What might this light represent? If this mirror actually worked and genuinely displayed God’s earnest longing for your life, what would the reflection look like?
Questions to Consider
Are the reflections from these three mirrors different? Why? Do they need to be? Or could your dreams, God’s dreams, and your actual real life experience be one and the same? As we look deeply into the three mirrors and see God’s dream for your life, your dream for your life and your current reality, is there anything keeping these three reflections from revealing the same image?
Is there a difference between the hopes you have for your life and God’s hope for your life? If there is a difference and you could only choose one of these hopes to live out, which do you suppose would bring you more joy? Which would allow you to sense you were living the purpose of your creation?
Is there a difference between your current reality and your dreams for your life? Is there a difference between your current reality and God’s dreams for you? If so, why?
Call to Action
As you consider if there are any differences between the three reflections of God’s earnest longing for you, your dreams and your present
reality, what comes to mind? What practical action can you take so that these three images become more closely aligned? What steps will you take to have your dreams more connected with God’s dreams for you? If you are not living into your hopes, what practical steps can you take to move closer to living out your dreams? Pick something you can do today to more closely align the reflections of the three mirrors and then do it.
Final Thoughts
Be Thou My Vision
Words attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 6th century; translated from ancient Irish to English by Mary E. Byrne in 1905, and versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.