Rollers and Mirrors

If someone tells you that cats are cleaner than dogs, don’t trust them. That’s a Cat Person. Growing up we had two and they shed everywhere. My whole life I walked around with hair stuck to my clothes and never knew it until I started dating Danielle (my wife) who is very, very allergic to them. Whenever I came around, she’d start sneezing. And I didn’t want her to think she was allergic to me. So, I began taking cat hair pretty seriously. Anytime I left the house, I looked in the mirror and used lint rollers to get all of it off me. They probably saved my marriage.

But there are things more subtle than pet dander that can cling to us.

There are pathogens in the air that cause disorder and every vile practice. Most times, we have no clue that they’re seeping into our words and hanging onto our actions. We bring them with us every time we leave the house. And they harm others because they’re dangerous. Thankfully, the Apostle James has given us a mirror to spot them.

James 3:14-18
If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 
 
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The mirror shows us what clings to our hearts and minds. How often does jealousy corrupt our gratitude? How has selfish ambition eroded our motives?  James 3 can feel overwhelming at first glance. Wisdom from above is pure and peaceable and…so many things other things we often are not. But praise God for James 1.

James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

This call to prayer has been like a lint roller for my soul. Whenever I look into the mirror and see these earthly, unspiritual, and demonic patterns shaping my heart, I cry out to the Lord who is willing to generously give wisdom from above. If your reflection finds you lacking as well today, give it a shot. It’s a prayer He’ll always say yes to.