The Best and Scariest Thing About a Mirror

mirror
The Best and Scariest Things about Mirrors is Seeing yourself!

Look in the mirror, an AA used to say, if you want to know what your problems are.  The best thing about a mirror is seeing yourself as you are, and that can be the scariest thing, too! 

Step Six is a kind of mirror, showing me how to start getting over myself.

It says, “Were Entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character . . .”  that Steps Four & Five highlighted.  (Step Six, The 12& 12)

I’ve been reading this 12 &12 for six years, but I always find something helpful, even if I’ve underlined it four times! 

Like I missed several words in the first paragraph: [AA’s friend and clergyman] goes on to explain that any person capable of enough willingness and honesty to try repeatedly Step Six on all his faults . . . without any reservations whatever— has indeed come a long way spiritually, and is therefore entitled to be called a man who is sincerely trying t grow in the image and likeness of his own Creator. (page 63)

Duh: Progress not perfection! Learn from my mistakes — don’t live in them! 

I also misunderstood that this step is not about having my sins forgiven — Christ did that.  

I am forgiven, by grace through faith. Step Six shows me how God wants to repair the walls in my soul that alcoholic drinking and thinking generated.   

God’s Sovereign, and I am responsible! (Isaiah 1:19) 

Taking Step Six helps me see what needs repairing in my life — even if I am not quite ready to given them all over. It also reflects the One who is willing and able to take the defects of character, and is waiting.  

mirror
That’s not such a scary reflection, is it?

 

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The Best and Scariest Thing About a Mirror
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