Window Washing

At present, we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Window washing. That’s what this bible scripture brought to mind as I meditated on it. I have spent a lot of time washing the windows in my house. I try carefully to get every mark and not leave streaks behind. Each time that I finish, I stand back to look at them and think to myself “Ok, I think they’re all clean.” Later, however, evidently, as the sunlight shines through the window, I will see spots or streaks that I didn’t see before while I was cleaning them. It’s amazing what can be revealed in the light that can’t be seen in the darkness.

I try each evening as I get into bed to think about all that happened that day and examine what I did or didn’t do. I reflect so that I can recognize the good that I have done. For example, the times that I’ve held my tongue with someone when they’ve made me angry. I also reflect so that I recognize the areas where I have failed to do good or do the right thing. For example, the times I intentionally closed the gap between my car and the next car because someone has bypassed all the waiting traffic and tried to get in line. Not behaving very much like a Christian. I must pay attention to both the good that I do and the not-so-good that I do.

This daily evening examination has helped me to shine the light to expose the spots where I missed being a Christian. It helps me to see through the cloud of selfishness that is often my view. I know that even when I recognize something that I shouldn’t have done or that I could have done better, I still don’t see myself as clearly as Jesus sees me.

St. Paul is saying that’s exactly how it is when we look at ourselves in the mirror. We don’t see ourselves fully and this is because we don’t see ourselves through the light of Jesus. It won’t be until we are face to face with Jesus that all will be revealed about ourselves. Knowing this doesn’t get me discouraged. It encourages me to get up every day and do my best to love Jesus and love those around me.

This consistent examination and perseverance are what we see in the lives of saints. It’s the example that we need to follow. And just like the saints, we need to turn to God for His strength and His guidance. We need to ask God to shine His light upon us. We need to ask Him to reveal to us when we are good followers of Him and when we fall short.

We need not shy away from truly looking at ourselves. It’s in this revelation that we learn to walk away from temptation. It’s like standing ready with the window cleaner so that when that spot is revealed by the light, we can work diligently on cleaning it up.

Over time, as I have practiced this daily review, I have been able to conquer those areas of sin that I fall into frequently. And while I still see indistinctly, as St. Paul says, I know that I am slowly improving each day.

Let us begin today by asking God to shine His light upon us. Let us stand ready to acknowledge both the good that we do and the areas where we need to improve. And let us give thanks to God for His strength when we can conquer those areas of sin.

© 2023 Kendall Berry Lasseigne