As I listened to this song a few weeks ago, I heard something different than I ever had before. If I had the chance to ask Michael Jackson what he meant by this song, I think he would say he hoped it would remind us of just how broken we all are. And maybe he hoped that would remind us that there’s nothing we can do on our own to fix anyone. That we can’t even begin to help someone else until we have acknowledged our own brokenness and allow God to work through us in that brokenness. We have to start with the [wo]man in the mirror.
But then I began thinking about what I see when I look in the mirror. How many times do I really see the beautiful creation that I am? As hard as it is to admit it, more often than not I see myself as worthless, not pretty enough, not thin enough, not tall enough. Instead of seeing myself as being fearfully and wonderfully made, I see myself as a complete failure in the beauty world. I may tell the world I think I’m all that and a bag of chips, but when I really start to look in the mirror, I don’t believe it. Society doesn’t want us to be broken – society wants us to be perfect. Without flaws. Our flaws aren’t seen as beautiful – they are seen as something that can be fixed. No wonder it’s awfully hard to admit our brokenness. If we’re broken, we require fixing. Who wants that?
And yet God tells us differently. God says to us,
You are precious. You are beautiful. You are mine and I love you just the way you are.
All those things you see as flaws – well I see them as what makes you YOU.
I have a feeling that when we look in the mirror and see ourselves the way God sees us we also begin to see others as God sees them. When we see ourselves as beautiful in the midst of our own flaws, it’s easier to see others as beautiful in the midst of their flaws. When we see ourselves as beautiful despite our brokenness, it’s not so hard to admit our brokenness and allow God to work.
I guess there’s nothing left to do except start with the woman in the mirror.
Related posts:
- Music Feature: One It’s been chaotic and busy here in Knoxville, so I...
- Music Monday: Love Grows Love Caedmon’s Call is by far one of my favorite bands....
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
So true, so true.
I've also seen this song as a call for individuals to do something to help the world, rather than looking to others to take care of the problems.