Vanity vs Wisdom
While we are not to forget how we look in the mirror, it does help to be appropriate for the day ahead.
James 1.19-27
Reference: v. 25 But the person who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.
Explore: I am not completely vain but I do want to present as respectable, so a mirror is a part of my regular morning ritual. It's not that I have forgotten what I looked like the previous morning, it's just that after the night's sleep there is often work to be done! The writer of James, while warning us against forgetfulness, does use the words 'continues to do this'.
Application: When we apply this repetition to the Word of God we find that we can learn so much more about how to live and our purpose in life. Just like I look at myself in the mirror on a daily basis, I act according to how I currently look and what my actions that day will be – make up or not, hair up or down etc. Likewise, if we read God's word daily we are able to apply it to our actions throughout the day. Not just a one off event but a daily part of our daily preparation.
Prayer: Lord, Your Word is a lamp to our feet, needed daily to guide our steps. Thank you for your constant wisdom. Amen.
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.