He said, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand. – Luke 8:10

An Examined Life

One day a nearsighted elderly man who considered himself an art expert visited a museum. He’d forgotten his glasses and couldn’t see clearly, but that didn’t stop him from airing his opinions.

What he thought was a full-length portrait soon caught his attention. He gazed at it a moment, then began his criticism. “The frame is altogether out of keeping with the picture,” he complained, “The man is too homely and shabbily dressed. In fact, it was a great mistake for the artist to select such a shoddy subject for his portrait.

He continued until his wife managed to discretely pull him aside. “My dear,” she whispered, “you’re looking in a mirror.

It’s important to examine your life, but be sure you’re using the only mirror able to both diagnose and heal, the life and Word of Jesus.

– Steve Arterburn

The best mirror is an old friend. – George Herbert