A Blunt reality check

To Whom It Concerns

I know you. I see you every day, sometimes multiple times a day. I know your features better than most. Light that bounces off of me and will show an image of whatever is in front of me. I reverse the direction of the image in an equal yet opposite angle from which the light shines upon it. I can evoke strong feelings and emotions within you. I can also be an incredibly powerful tool for changing your perspective, seeing parts of yourself that are usually hidden as you look out into the world.

Do you know who I am? If you don’t, I’m not telling you quite yet. I want to talk to you. I think you need me. I want to bring to your attention a song written about me. I want you to think of this song in a new way. Perhaps this is the first time you will ever really read the lyrics and think about them.

“I’m gonna make a change for once in my life; It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right. As I turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat, this wind is blowing my mind. I see kids in the street without enough to eat. Who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs? A summer’s disregard, a broken bottle top, and a one man’s soul. They follow each other on the wind, ya know? Cause they got nowhere to go, that’s why I want you to know!”

Guess what? I can guarantee you that you have done this without even realizing it. How often do you get up after sleeping, go to your closet and pick out clothing? You don’t realize how blessed you are to have the ability to do this. You have options. You have different pants, shirts, sweatshirts/sweaters. You have socks and shoes. You get to grab a coat, maybe you have more than one to choose from, and you don’t have to worry about the elements outside because you have protection. What about the kids? What about their families? What about the guy or gal down the street? Have you ever stopped to think about what you could give them? Is your first instinct to change directions when you see them so you don’t have to interact? I know you have, again, without realizing it. These people are in situations you may not be able to understand. Maybe, and hopefully, you have never had to worry about when you would get your next meal. Hopefully, you have never had to worry about where you were going to lay your head at night. Hopefully, you have never had to worry about how you would shower or wash yourself. Other folks have and do every single day. The question becomes: Do You Care?

“I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love, it’s time that I realize. There are some with no home, not a nickel to loan. Could it be really me pretending that they’re not alone? A willow deeply scarred, somebody’s broken heart, and a washed out dream.”

I want you to know you are not alone. Our world has transitioned into this selfish, gimme gimme mentality. Our society went from raising children with respect for elders, their peers, their families and themselves to just telling them to worry about themselves and only themselves. The world needs to show them respect for them to give respect. Now this has rubbed off on you too. As you stand in front of me, I need to tell you something: The world owes you nothing. Maybe if everyone would stop thinking that they should get a participation medal or a slap on the back for everything they do or think, we would get back to the morals of caring for one another and loving our neighbor. You know, that thing that the nice guy in the Bible taught! Oh, what was his name….oh yeah, JESUS!

I have friends everywhere, I can be found in many many settings. I have heard from my friends that they watch as people sit on the side of the road with a sign asking for help. Yeah, there are always bad apples in any group that exists. If you let the bad ones dictate how you see the whole group, then you need to stop being so upset when others look at the group of Christ-followers in a bad light. Just because you aren’t a “bad Christ-follower” doesn’t mean they don’t exist. We know they do!

“They will only use the money to buy drugs.” “Why don’t they get a shower and get a job?” “I have worked hard for what I have, so they should do the same.” “They did something to push away everyone in their life. They can figure it out on their own.” “They may try to hurt me, it isn’t safe.”

These are just some of the things my friends have heard from people, many of whom are Christ-followers. I want to remind you of some things:

Luke 12:33-34 ““Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Proverbs 31:8-9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Isaiah 58: 10 “And if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

The Holiday Season is upon us. This month is about thankfulness. Perhaps recalling wisdom and restoration that have led to where we are now. Soon, I will reflect images of lights, and decorations being put up for a season to honor the coming of the Messiah. Presents will be given by and received by many. Maybe this year you will think about those that don’t have and think about what you can do to help someone else that needs more than you do. Needing and wanting are two VERY DIFFERENT things.

With all of this in mind, I want to ask you some questions:

Are you going to start with the person in the mirror?

Are you going to ask that person in the mirror to make a change?

There will not be a message any clearer than this: If you want to make a world a better place you need to look at yourself and make a change!

Sincerely yours

-The Mirror