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Apr 08, 2026 06:00am

The Mirror Lies—But Jesus Tells the Truth About You

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When did that get there?

The more I look in the mirror these days, the more wrinkles, spots, and signs of aging I see.

I guess it is a natural thing to focus more on the lines and blemishes than it is to remember the stories, the laughter, and the years spent playing in the sun with family and friends that shaped them.

Will others think I’m looking too old? What kind of cream should I use? Goodness, what will my husband see when he looks at me? This is not the woman he married. Should I do something more drastic? If I just pulled a little here, and if this was just a little firmer there, would I look five to ten years younger?

The eyes that stare back at me are the same, but the person I see in that mirror doesn’t look like the young girl I once was.

If I asked my husband what he thought, do you know what he would say?

“You’re beautiful! You look just as wonderful as the day we met!”

And if I point out the wrinkles and the spots, he would remind me that those are just part of aging in this world. That none of that is really what matters.

What matters most is his love for me and my love for him.

Philippians 1:9–11
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Grow in knowledge and understanding. Then your love will overflow. And through it, you’ll learn what really matters.

What really matters…

As I read this verse, I’m taken back to a song from 2001 that was released by Michael W. Smith called “The Heart of Worship”.

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
It’s all about You, Jesus

When Paul tells the believers in Philippi that he wants them to understand what really matters, this is it.

It’s not about their striving. It’s not about the way they look, the amount of money they have, the office or position they hold, or their popularity.

What really matters is Jesus.

This is not a blog about music styles, church sizes, or what kind of clothes your pastor is wearing. This isn’t about agendas or programs or money. The most important thing in life is not about the amount of games you win, the number of likes you get on a reel, or your latest idea.

This is about Jesus alone.

It’s about knowing the truth about Christ and making Him known.

Why did Paul say he wanted them to know what really mattered?

“so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

When we know the truth about Jesus, we recognize our sinfulness and His holiness. That He alone can save us, cleanse us, and use us—for His purposes, for His will.

To know Christ is to read His Word. The Holy Spirit brings about understanding, and we grow, becoming more and more like Him.

Because as followers of Christ, when we look in the mirror, we should see Jesus, not our imperfections.

Lord, make me more like You!

And that’s what really matters.

Let me help you discover what really matters. Go to follow.lifeword.org and learn what a life looks like that’s devoted to following Jesus.