White Mirror

In my recent post, Black Mirror, I spoke about our reluctance to look within ourselves - to avoid examining our heart and motivations, and how they contrast with the Word of G-d. I'd like to continue by discussing the possibilities of transformation in our decision to not only look upon what G-d lovingly reveals to us about ourselves, but also the benefit in committing those things to memory in the event we find ourselves walking away.

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in that they do." James 1:23-25

Notice that the very first principle to grasp is that of listening leading to actually doing something. We listen to the Word and it causes (or should cause) us to then do, to react in some way. Those that hear and do nothing are compared to someone who sees himself in a mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like. Which, if you experienced such a thing, it would the sign of a serious problem. The idea here is that the truth of Torah will convey a message of refinement. It will speak to something that needs to be purified or repaired. To walk away from that and forget about what was revealed, what needs to be improved, would be the sign of a serious problem, as well.

The passage goes on to contrast the forgetful listener with the intentional doer. The doer looks intently into the perfect Law, focusing on what has been revealed, as if to memorize it. They understand that there is a problem and that it can be repaired. There is hope in Torah. This realization brings freedom - Not freedom from the Law, but from the effects of a lawless life. There is freedom in knowing what is expected of you, as strange as that may sound to some. It's like setting a goal. There is security in having a standard against which to measure achievement. If you had no goal and no recollection of your improvement, you could have no confidence in your progress. Besides intently focusing on this perfect law, this person continues in it. It's as though, once they have grasped what needs to be done, they are able walk away. Not from G-d, but from the heavy introspection that leads to repentance. What they saw is now ever present before their eyes. The realization they received is planted firmly in their hearts. "..not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it." They are able, having internalized the teaching of G-d, to move forward, not back, in purpose, progress and blessing. The issue illuminated becomes the issue eliminated.

"So faith, if it has no works, is dead and alone." James 2:17

This is not a self-help teaching. This type of transformation can only come by the work of the Spirit of G-d. In order for Him to move in our lives, though, we must humbly take those steps toward His presence and instruction. We must listen, focus, remember and do. For belief gives birth to action, and action to effect. The effect being freedom. Freedom to approach your G-d, seeing yourself as He sees you.