Standards of Reference

I like to address the subject of our testimony, because it is essential for guiding people toward our Redeemer. We may have God at the center of our lives, but if others do not realize this, it is because we are losing communion and rendering the Holy Spirit who lives within us ineffective.

When we say that we are Christians, we cause thousands of eyes to turn toward us and scrutinize us to see how and under what circumstances we fail, so that they may point the finger at us and justify their resistance to placing themselves under the light of Christ. After all, we are “Reference Standards.”

It is curious that when we look at ourselves in a mirror in a dimly lit place, we do not clearly see the wrinkles on our face; however, when we take a picture with a camera equipped with a good flash, it reveals all our flaws.

This is what happens when Christ shines His light on us. For a long time, we avoid being illuminated by Him so that our flaws will not be noticed. We prefer to compare ourselves constantly with the people around us, without realizing that if we come out looking good, it is only because they have as many flaws as we do; of course, we will always compare those areas in which we have an advantage. But if we truly wish to know our spiritual condition, we must be bolder. Why not compare ourselves with perfection, with the One who attained perfection in the flesh? No, that does not suit us.

It does not suit us for the spotless mirror of the Holy One to reveal our wretchedness—no!—because then we would have to look with compassion upon the brother who made a mistake different from our own; we could not take pride in the fact that his sin is not ours; we could not judge and criticize. And how would we go on living after learning that we are no better than others?

Miserable vanity! Who made us believe that we were something? Who made us believe that we were perfect? Who gave us the authority to set ourselves up as judges?

Instead, let us judge our daily actions—and how busy that would keep us! How beneficial it would be if we did so, so that we might grow as people and our testimony might be such that we inspire everyone to seek the treasure that is our God.

That is it: let us turn the world into treasure seekers; let us hand out the maps that guide people along the way, and, without surprise, we will see everyone digging at the foot of the Cross.