The Funhouse Mirror

When I was a boy, I loved going to the carnival. One of my favorite attractions was the funhouse mirror room.

A carnival worker stood outside calling people in to see strange sights and frightening “monsters” hiding in the darkness. Being young and curious, I went inside.

When I finally saw the monster, I discovered that it was me.

The curved mirrors stretched and twisted my reflection until I hardly recognized myself. The image was not accurate because the mirror was distorted.

It was entertaining then, but years later those mirrors taught me something important about representing Jesus.

When I gave my heart to Christ, I was overwhelmed by His grace. Jesus had forgiven me, accepted me, and filled my heart with love. I was so excited that I could barely contain it. I wanted everyone to experience what I had experienced.

I wanted people to see Jesus in me—but sometimes my eagerness became a funhouse mirror. Instead of clearly reflecting His love, I presented a distorted image of Him. People sometimes saw an overexcited and overly forceful David rather than the patient, gracious Savior, I wanted them to know.

I remember picking up a young hitchhiker who was standing beside the freeway in the rain. I wanted to help him, and I also hoped I might have an opportunity to tell him about Jesus.

As we drove, I pointed to a bumper sticker on my dashboard. It said:

“Be prepared—Jesus is coming. At any moment, the driver may disappear.”

The young man did not understand what it meant, and it frightened him. Instead of noticing his discomfort and listening to him, I rushed into an explanation about sin, judgment, Christ’s return, and his need to be saved.

I became pushier than I would ever be today.

Finally, his eyes wide with alarm, he said, “Pull over here.”

“But we haven’t reached your destination,” I answered.

“Pull over here,” he demanded.

I stopped the car. He stepped back into the rain, put out his thumb, and waited for another ride.

That day, the young man did not clearly see the love of God. My eagerness had distorted the reflection. I was trying so hard to help God that I failed to show the gentleness, patience, and compassion of Jesus.

Too often, we think God needs our help. We push too hard, speak too quickly, and fail to listen. The most wonderful offer of love in the world can begin to sound like a salesperson trying to close a deal.

But God does not need me to pressure anyone. God does not need my help—rather, I desperately need His.

Over 50 years of ministry, I have watched thousands of lives touched and changed by the grace of God. I have learned that sharing Christ is not about winning an argument or forcing a decision. It is about faithfully demonstrating the love, mercy, and truth of Jesus while trusting the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s heart.

Every one of us needs that grace.

It does not matter whether you grew up in church or have never entered one. It does not matter whether others consider you respectable or believe you have done terrible things. Scripture tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

Yet God did not abandon us.

Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly gave His life for us. He bore our sin so that we could be forgiven and restored to a genuine relationship with the God who created us. Jesus came to rescue us—but we must be willing to receive His rescue.

Those of us who follow Christ must ask ourselves: What do people see when they look at us?

Do they see the mercy, patience, and love of Jesus? Or do our pride, harshness, impatience, and overzealousness distort His reflection?

People do not need to see more of David. They need to see more of Jesus.

For some people, the only Bible they may ever read is the life of a Christian lived before them. Let us give them a clear and faithful picture—not one distorted by self-righteousness, pressure, fear, or indifference.

Jesus calls every believer to share His good news. That calling is not reserved for pastors, teachers, or evangelists. But we must share it as Jesus did—with truth and compassion, conviction and mercy, courage and love.

Perhaps it is time for us to examine our reflection. We can ask God to remove whatever distorts the image of Christ in us and make our lives transparent enough for His love to shine through.

If you have never given your heart to Jesus, you can come to Him today. You do not have to repair yourself first. You do not have to make yourself worthy of His love. Come just as you are, place your trust in Him, confess your sin, and receive His forgiveness.

He already knows you completely, and He loves you.

When you trust Him, His Holy Spirit begins the gentle, lifelong work of changing your heart, mind, soul, and spirit. Every part of your life can be touched by the love of God.

God created you in love. He loves you now, and He will continue to love you. Open your heart to Him today—whether for the first time or as a renewed commitment.

Let go of the distorted reflection and allow the world to see Jesus clearly through you.