dirty mirrors

We're reading through A Year with C.S. Lewis, available from bn.com as an e-book for $2.99. Today we read from the January 14 selection.

Lewis makes an interesting point today. He talks about God revealing Himself to us, and points out that He can show a more accurate version of Himself to clean people, whereas dirty people have a hard time seeing Him. The verse from the New Testament where Paul says we now see in a glass darkly, but one day we'll see Him face to face comes to mind.

But let's not underestimate the love and revelation God gives to us dirty people. Yes, the Bible makes it clear that God is more likely to answer certain prayers. If we are praying to win the Powerball so that we never have to work again, and can just lay around drinking Margaritas and watching TV all day, then He probably won't answer that with a "yes". That's what the New Testament calls "spending it on your passions."

However, even us dirty mirrors get our prayers answered when we ask for the right things. If I ask for wisdom, He is going to give it to me. If I ask to know Him better, to love Him more, and to help my brothers and sisters... He's going to answer those prayers with a yes.

It's a good thing to clean our mirrors, sure. But if you're like me, the mirror gets dirty again. The important thing is not to get OCD about keeping your mirror clean. The important thing is focusing on the face IN the mirror... the face that loves us, even when we're in need of a good cleaning.

Thank You, God, for loving us even when we're not quite perfect.