Mirror, Mirror

The quote is as iconic as any in American film: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall — who is the fairest of them all?”

What little girl hasn’t stood in front of a mirror, hoping to discover that she is—indeed—the prettiest princess in the world? 

Here’s the thing about mirrors: they are truth tellers. When I stand in front of the mirror, it doesn’t tell me how fit I am, but how unfit. It doesn’t tell me how beautiful my hair is, but that I don’t have any left. It doesn’t tell me how young I am, but it shows me wrinkles that prove otherwise.

I wonder if we could think about stage presence as worship leaders like a mirror. And perhaps in two ways.

First, what you see from those you lead is a pretty good representation of what they see from you. Human behavior, especially in North America, is to reflect what you see. Try it some time. Sit across from someone and scratch your ear. Chances are, they’ll suddenly have an itch on their ear. Or sit up taller. Watch them respond. It may take a few minutes. And it may happen with increasing dependability the longer you sit across from them.

If this is true, and my experience has been that it is, what you are seeing from the congregation you lead is likely a whole lot like what they see from you as you lead. Not just you individually, but you as a team.

A few years ago, our church hosted a week long revival with Life Action Ministries. The band was very, very good. The songs were typical of what we do on Sunday mornings. But the musical-worship time was extreme. The joy? Extreme. The celebration? Extreme. The tenderness? Extreme. The surrender? Extreme.

The point leader of their worship team was not so “emotive,” but the others on stage were. The bass player got on his knees when they sang “I Surrender.” The keyboard player had a smile that would brighten the depths of Mammoth Cave. The violin player radiated joy.

And our congregation did what they saw.

I’m guessing yours does too.

But there’s another way I’d like us to think about mirrors. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy.” And 2 Corinthians 3:18 brings that ancient song to mind when Paul writes: “All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.” 

When we stand before our people, those we lead can see us radiant with joy. They can see us reflecting the glory of the Lord. They can have something worth mirroring, because of Whom we mirror.

Look at music, you’ll reflect musicianship.

Look at people, you’ll reflect their spiritual condition.

Look at the wall, you’ll reflect emptiness.

Look at Jesus, you’ll reflect the Light of the world.