Pastor, do you examine yourself daily by humbly placing yourself before the one mirror you can trust, the mirror of the Word of God? Or have you fallen into the habit of looking into carnival mirrors that will only ever give you a misshapen view of your spiritual journey?

Because we are all tempted to self-sufficiency and think that we are independently righteous, we are all attracted to over-inflated, aggrandized views of ourselves. To use Paul’s words, we think of ourselves “more highly than we ought.” We want our righteousness recognized and confirmed. We want to be seen as right and mature. We want to be esteemed. So we are attracted to things that seem to define us as Christlike and mature. Essentially, we all are susceptible to seeing ourselves in distorted carnival mirrors.   

The Mirror of Knowledge    

Biblical literacy and theological understanding are very important; after all, God chose to reveal himself and his plan in a book. It is a book you must determine to know in every way. It’s a book whose truth themes you must grow to understand thoroughly. You must see the fabric of truth; that is, how truths weave together and connect to one another. You must understand the flow of the plan of redemption.   

But biblical knowledge must not be confused with true faith or spiritual maturity. Faith is more than what you do with your brain. Knowledge doesn’t define faith. For example, you can actually be mature in your understanding of God’s sovereignty but still live a life of fear, because in your immaturity you have attached your security more to your control than to God’s wise rule. Ultimately, faith is a heart investment that leads to a radically new way of life.   

The Mirror of Experience   

The longer your tenure, the more ministry blocks you’ve been around and the more ministry knocks you’ve taken, the more if feels that you’ve arrived. You’re no longer new to the push and pull of local church ministry. You’re not surprised, because you’ve just about seen it all. You know that ministry is war, often more disappointing than exciting. You know that you’ll have both detractors and celebrants. You know the pressures of balancing ministry and family. You know that local church ministry is seasonal. You will go through good and bad seasons as a pastor. All this experience makes you feel mature.   

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