A single image projected to others that captured a single moment or season of our life is not always what we want other people to use to interpret our lives. It’s like being caught in a moment of undress or a situation lacking decorum. To capture such images and freeze them in time does it represent our true selves.
Yesterday, I went to our local DVM office to renew my driver’s license. I thought I would be smart and arrive thirty minutes early before the doors opened. To my surprise, there was a line of at least 100 people already waiting in line for the doors to open. I kept driving and went on to a few appointments throughout the day.
Later in the afternoon, I passed by the DMV once again. There was no longer a line outside the door. So, I decided to give it a try. Inside was another line of about 20 people waiting to check-in. I took a number and waited my turn. An hour and a half later my number was called. Since I am of a particular age, an eye examination was required along with a new photo.
It took three tries to get a photo. On the first attempt, the examiner caught me mid-blink. She smiled and said the image of my half-open eyes made me look like I was under the influence of something. We laughed. The next photo was out of focus. Finally, on the third try it worked, but not in a good way. The examiner didn’t show me the final photo and simply said, “We’re good to go.”
Later when I paid my fee and she handed me my temporary license, I was stunned. The whites of my eyes were overly exaggerated and dominated the image. I looked like I had just been hit in my rear with an electric cattle prod. (Nope, I won’t be posting that alarming image.) I was too tired to ask for a retake and left the office. As I exited the building, I thought whatever cop asks for my ID sometime in the future, their first thought would be, “What is this startled guy afraid of?”
Some of you have been captured in a moment of your life that has been imprinted on other people’s minds. They are continuing to interpret who you are using that image. As hard as you try to correct that image or make amends it’s hard to erase such images from their memory. Like my driver’s license that will last for the next 9 years, we just chalk it up to life and move on. What matters most is not what other people see and use to interpret our lives. It’s what God sees that really matters.
The Lord captured an image of our life He uses to reveal our true self. We need to hold onto that image as a reminder when failure or accusation comes our way and represents something that does not reflect how God sees us.
The following verse captures and represents our true self-image no matter what has taken place or who believes we are a new person, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (II Corinthians 5:17).
Many days, my first prayer upon arising and seeing my reflection in the mirror, is
“Lord, who stole the wrinkle-free 18-year old hunk and replaced him with a guy who looks like my grandfather? Can you track down the thief – I want my youth back!”
So far, He has laughed with me (or perhaps at me) and offered no date when my daily prayers might be answered!
Great post, Garris….again!