Mirrors are amazing things. In all simplicity, they are a collection of materials that allow light to bounce off them in a very structured pattern allowing us to see a reflection. This reflection of light allows us to see ourselves in virtually the same way that everyone else sees us. This is extremely valuable information to us because it allows us to manipulate ourselves to reflect more of what we want others see about our physical appearance.
When I think about it, it's amazing how much time I spend looking at this reflection. It's one of the first things I look at when I wake up and one of the last things I see when I go to sleep. I make sure I gave myself a good shave. I make sure that there is nothing in my teeth. I even give a little muscle flex to make sure that my lack of exercise hasn't taken too much of a toll on my body. No matter how much I stare into that reflective group of materials with the intention of making myself a little more presentable to the world, I can never change the fact that God made me who I am. That doesn't just apply to my physical appearance, either. Just as I look at my reflection in a physical mirror, I often take note of my inner reflection through a spiritual mirror, so to speak. Although I can change what I look like on the outside, I'm still the same being whose name was written on God's hand before I was born.
Growing up, I have always been very conscious of my personality and how people perceive me. I learned early on that I was a little different than the other kids that I hung out with. I had tendencies to hold on to emotions a little deeper than most. I had a hard time letting go of small situations which caused me to be more prone to depression and anger issues. I was always simply written off as an emotional person. I always saw this as a curse in my life. It took me years to get to a place where I wasn't trying to change myself to be more like other people and understand that God made me a specific way for a specific purpose. I'm a worship leader and most of what I do forces me to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. God made me in such a way that my personality, emotions and all, makes me extremely sensitive to the movement of the Spirit. If I was made any other way, it wouldn't be as easy for me to do what I was created to do. That part of my life that I thought was a curse is actually a gift.
It's comforting to know that we were planned for and created. Many times we are faced with situations where we are not happy with ourselves or our personalities. It causes us to ask God,"Why did you make me this way?" I know sometimes it feels like there was simply a moment in time where God sneezed, looked down and said,"Oh...Look! I will call him Bobby." That is not the case. Psalm 139 says that God created my inmost being. He knit me together in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Before I was born, He had a plan for me and He created me to be exactly what was needed to fulfill that plan.
In my job, I get the chance to hang out with a lot of artists and musicians. Yes, those artsy types. It's not uncommon for any of us to utter the classic, yet wise, lyrics of Tom Petty at some point and say,"You don't know how it feels to be me." For the most part, that is and will always be a true statement because it's impossible for us to feel what other people are feeling. God knows and He needs you to know how it feels to be you. He created you the way you are to do something very specific in your life. I always encourage artists and musicians to be true to themselves and seek out what it is about who they are that makes them unique for God to use.
This week, I want to encourage you to take a look in your spiritual mirror. Instead of trying to cover up what the world considers imperfections in your personality, try to see yourself through God's eyes.
Bobby Hardwick
When I think about it, it's amazing how much time I spend looking at this reflection. It's one of the first things I look at when I wake up and one of the last things I see when I go to sleep. I make sure I gave myself a good shave. I make sure that there is nothing in my teeth. I even give a little muscle flex to make sure that my lack of exercise hasn't taken too much of a toll on my body. No matter how much I stare into that reflective group of materials with the intention of making myself a little more presentable to the world, I can never change the fact that God made me who I am. That doesn't just apply to my physical appearance, either. Just as I look at my reflection in a physical mirror, I often take note of my inner reflection through a spiritual mirror, so to speak. Although I can change what I look like on the outside, I'm still the same being whose name was written on God's hand before I was born.
Growing up, I have always been very conscious of my personality and how people perceive me. I learned early on that I was a little different than the other kids that I hung out with. I had tendencies to hold on to emotions a little deeper than most. I had a hard time letting go of small situations which caused me to be more prone to depression and anger issues. I was always simply written off as an emotional person. I always saw this as a curse in my life. It took me years to get to a place where I wasn't trying to change myself to be more like other people and understand that God made me a specific way for a specific purpose. I'm a worship leader and most of what I do forces me to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. God made me in such a way that my personality, emotions and all, makes me extremely sensitive to the movement of the Spirit. If I was made any other way, it wouldn't be as easy for me to do what I was created to do. That part of my life that I thought was a curse is actually a gift.
It's comforting to know that we were planned for and created. Many times we are faced with situations where we are not happy with ourselves or our personalities. It causes us to ask God,"Why did you make me this way?" I know sometimes it feels like there was simply a moment in time where God sneezed, looked down and said,"Oh...Look! I will call him Bobby." That is not the case. Psalm 139 says that God created my inmost being. He knit me together in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Before I was born, He had a plan for me and He created me to be exactly what was needed to fulfill that plan.
In my job, I get the chance to hang out with a lot of artists and musicians. Yes, those artsy types. It's not uncommon for any of us to utter the classic, yet wise, lyrics of Tom Petty at some point and say,"You don't know how it feels to be me." For the most part, that is and will always be a true statement because it's impossible for us to feel what other people are feeling. God knows and He needs you to know how it feels to be you. He created you the way you are to do something very specific in your life. I always encourage artists and musicians to be true to themselves and seek out what it is about who they are that makes them unique for God to use.
This week, I want to encourage you to take a look in your spiritual mirror. Instead of trying to cover up what the world considers imperfections in your personality, try to see yourself through God's eyes.
Bobby Hardwick
