But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

My great-aunt once advised me to hang a mirror in every room—so I could see if I was always standing straight. It must have worked for her because she had great posture!

That’s a good purpose for mirrors. Their typical use is for us to get a glimpse of our appearance, to make sure we’re presentable for the public. 

Mirrors have been around since early biblical times, showing up among the ancient Israelite women. Bezalel, chief craftsman for the tabernacle, collected these prized possessions to create the washbasin. Made from polished bronze or other metals, early mirrors didn’t give an accurate view…like those carnival mirrors that distort our figures. 

Images improved with the invention of glass mirrors, but even then, the silver backing faded over time and created a softened reflection. I have one on a Victorian dresser, and it’s quite flattering.

It’s a contrast to the lighted one I use for make-up. That one reveals every wrinkle and serves as an unaltered testament to the real story…I’m getting older every day.

Mirrors are, indeed, curious things. They can give us a glimpse of things as they are…or they can lie. We think we’re fine because look put-together on the outside. And yet the reality is that our souls inside are marred by sin. We’re totally unworthy of God’s grace and mercy. We need Jesus and His redemption.

James, our Lord’s brother, uses the illustration of a mirror to show how forgetful we can be about our role in Christ’s kingdom:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25).

In the mornings, we give ourselves a quick glance in the mirror, make sure everything is in place, and head out to our day…not looking deeper into our hearts to see how we should be serving Jesus. We often miss the blessings we could have received.

How often do you do the same? What would make your day different if you really studied the face looking back at you?

I know what I should do. I need to start each day’s view in the mirror (especially the lighted one) with a reality check. I’m a hopeless sinner, rotten to the core without Jesus. An approach to His throne requires a big dose of humility. My outside may be slicked up, but my inside needs His cleansing power. I won’t survive the day’s demands without His Holy Spirit’s indwelling and guidance. 

Then I need to see my face as He does. I was created by Him for His purposes. He loves me so much that He died for me, liberating me from sin and death. He will never leave me on the battlefield, and He will be victorious for me. He keeps His promises.

With that vision, you and I can boldly go forth to serve Him. We will not forget what kind of people we are—God’s chosen children, designed to be His witnesses to the world. As James said, let’s remember we have looked into Christ’s perfect law of liberty and need to continue in it, doing His work. 

Friend, you and I are beautiful when we reflect His light to others, especially when we are wearing His smile. Our mirrors will reveal His unmistakable truth…that He is truly the Fairest One of all. 

Jesus, I am awestruck whenever I view the beauty of Your love for me. Help me look past the lies Satan throws into my mirror so that I will recognize how faithful You have been and will be. Let me see how much You value me and care for me. Make me ready to face the tasks ahead with Your strength. Let me mirror Your love to everyone I meet today. In Your grace, Amen.*

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #mirror #witnessing #evangelism #reflection #tarnish

*Need some encouragement? Copy these Scripture verses, print them out, and tape them to your mirror, to start your day with Jesus!