RangerLane's Daily Bread: September 2007

Friday, September 28, 2007

Man In the Mirror


The Man in the Mirror
a poem by Lane Ormerod

I woke up this morning and gazed in the mirror.
Looking through glazed eyes I await for an image to appear.

The man in the mirror, what did I see?
I see a reflection and wonder, could this be me?

He was gruff and wrinkled – the evidence of sleep.
Not handsome or even good-looking to say the least.

His eyes were wrinkled, dark and bumpy.
His biceps were flabby, his demeanor – grumpy.

His beard needed shaving, his nostrils too.
And ear hairs? Well, he had one or two.

And then it had happened – without much thought or decision,
A choice had been made, an act of volition.

My image had repulsed me. I didn’t like what I saw,
I was dirty and unappealing, not very likeable at all.

I determined to alter my reflection, you see,
Into something more pleasant…a preferable me.

My options were quite simple and surprisingly few
Get a new mirror or get to work on you know who.

My make over would take time, no instant remedy or fix
What I needed was exercise & diet, no tricks.

And so I began…

Each day I returned to the mirror to check my progress
Each day I evaluated my successes & failures.
Slowly, so slowly, my reflection changed…and I liked what I saw.

But my reflection was not the image and appearance one might expect.
Instead of ripped abs, chiseled features, or bulging biceps, Knowledge, Wisdom and Character had taken their place.

What I saw was the preferable me…happy and content. For I‘ve chosen a life in pursuit of Christ, and He is pursuing me.

The man in the mirror, what do I hope to see?
Christ in my reflection, as He continually changes me.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Man, I need God

I friend just called exhaling those very words.

Say it to yourself. Repeat it in your mind. Oh how true a statement.

My friend is a single guy. A free bird. His life has been characterized by ups and downs, hills and valleys. He'd felt for sometime a void in his life. A huge hole that he just couldn't figure out. Something was missing. Something big.
We met one Sunday morning at the place where I worship. He just showed up one day. Didn't really know why he was where he was, he just knew he needed to be there.
As I looked out across the sea of faces, there he was. He stood out like a hunter dressed in blaze orange on a field of freshly fallen snow. He was obviously in an unfamilar place and his appearance suggested that he was a rebel. Spiked hair, cut-off shorts, flip-flops and a tee shirt sporting the infamous Jack Daniels logo. Surrounded by a multitude of people dressed in their "Sunday best" with hair neatly combed and bibles in hand, he was more than just a little intimidated. His appearance was a reflection of his life. It was and would become one of his most endearing qualities.

Hutch was his name. He had come to our meeting place because he longed to fill the void he had felt. He longed to live a life that had meaning and purpose, something that he admitted he was lacking. Unsure were to find it, God led him to us - and us to him.

To make a long story short, Hutch found what he was looking for - Jesus Christ.

Sure there are times when he struggles with continuing the pursuit of a life of loving Jesus, but hey, who of us doesn't? The reality is Hutch is honest enough to admit when he's strayed.
Too many of us are unwilling to be that honest with ourselves. We try to hide it, think no one will know if we just conceal it well enough. We only lie to themselves. Instead facing the truth, we allow our sin to defeat us, to become a burden to us, consuming us until we are nothing but bitter angry individuals who expend an enourmous amount of energy trying to divert attention from our miserable reality by spotlighting the troubles of others and saying "look, at least I'm not like them"!

God help us.

Funny thing is, well, not funny, remarkable thing is, He will. God, our loving Father, desires to do exactly that, to help us. He desires to forgive our sin and reunite Himself with His creation. As evidence of how great His desire is, He sent Jesus to die by our hand, that He might take on the sins of the world and pay the debt that was owed.

"Man, I need God."

Thanks for reminding me Hutch. Your honesty serves as a continual reminder that each of us need God.

Blessings to you in Christ the Lord.

-RangerLane