Many of us start our day standing in front of a mirror, preparing ourselves to face the world. We stand staring, fixing and adjusting this and erroneously believe we are looking at the image that the world will see. However, when we are standing toe-to-toe with the world, they do not see the mirror reflection – they see the reversed image. What do I mean? When we look in the mirror, we will note that our left eye is directly across from the mirror image of our left eye. However, when someone is facing us, our left eye is across from their right eye. They do not see the mirror image precisely us, but they know the image that we take into the world. Does that make a difference? Do they not see the same impression we meant to present?
Perception is a combination of chemical reactions in our brain and body that transforms whatever is presented to it into an image or idea with which we can connect. Reality is the exact situation; a mirror image should be reality. My right eye is weaker than my left, so I often mess up the right sideburn when I shave, making it longer or shorter than the left. Even though I look at the exact image I shave, my weakness affects my perception, which suggests people will see equal-length sideburns. Depending on how people face me or how I hold my head during the day, the different lengths may not be noticed, but that does not change the reality that there is a difference. My skewed perception of things could change how I present myself, thereby tainting people’s perception of me.
Sideburn length will not impact our world, but how we share Jesus could. We can share Him by using words or with our actions. Telling people about Jesus is different than showing people Jesus with our actions. Sharing Jesus is also different based on whether we share our perception or experience. Some Christ followers cannot speak to friends or family about God without sounding like they are speaking another language. They struggle to take a basic tenant of our faith and share it with others, possibly because they may never have experienced the truth behind the words. They may not have felt a sense of peace during a family tragedy or gratitude for a blessing. They will have read about these experiences and lovingly try to share their perception of what it would be like. They often can not do so because they have not called on Jesus and found Him. Their perception of Jesus’ love can come across as different from its reality.
The scripture verse at the start of this article is probably the best-known and quoted verse amongst Christ’s followers – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believed in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16. This verse tells us that God loves all of us and has offered eternity based on His sacrifice. It has become a slogan or catchphrase of Christianity and is repeated often, but how many people know what it means? If we do not have personal encounters with Jesus, then when we speak words such as these, they won’t come across as we desired or even as God desired. If we speak and live without the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit, those hearing our words will most likely ignore them or deem them confusing and unintelligible. Despite our imperfections that cause us to share our faith based on our perception of scripture, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to make biblical truths a reality. As harsh as it may sound, the truth found in the bible can be the mirror image of the truth we live.
God can clarify His truth if we desire to live it. Christianity is not a slogan but a relationship with Jesus. It’s a daily interactive journey in which Jesus should be on our minds no matter what is happening around us. When we walk like that, we can share what we experience, not what we have heard or read.