In 1988, Michael Jackson released the iconic song “Man in the Mirror.” It tells the story of someone who grows tired of turning a blind eye to the world’s suffering. He realizes that looking out the window at everyone else’s problems is not enough. To make a real difference, he has to start with the person he sees in the mirror. This powerful shift from observation to conviction is a profound spiritual truth. If we want to see transformation in our lives and in the world, we cannot just point fingers. We must begin with self-examination.

Jesus tells a similar story about a young man who had to look in the mirror. After squandering his inheritance in a distant land, the prodigal son hits rock bottom. It is only when he is broke, alone, and humbled that the Bible says, “he came to himself.” In that moment of clarity, he saw the gap between who he had become and who he was created to be. This story is not just an ancient parable; it is a picture of our own capacity to lose our way. But more importantly, it is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we have gone, we can always turn around and come home.