I am not a fan of clutter. Like, at all. I’m one of the firm believers in the studies that show stress levels are heightened in more of a messy environment than in an environment that is well kept, organized and put together.
I find that even during my earliest shifts at work that I have to clean up a little bit and organize before being able to get started on everything else. At home I’m the same way. I force myself to fold the laundry right after I take it out of the dryer instead of piling it up on my bed and sleeping with it for a few nights. (Yes, I’ve done that before.) Or I will make sure the dishes are done the same day that I use them and not a week later (after being rinsed off of course.)
I just like for everything to be in order so that it doesn’t distract me from being productive. I take pride in having nice things and making sure that they look good, but am I taking the same care with my soul?
I wondered the other day, how often we believers fight to be seen in a certain light, all the while not really taking the time or effort to make sure that what appears to be, really is.
Are we lifting our hands outwardly in worship on an emotional Sunday only to retreat back to our busy lives ignoring God for the rest of the week? Are we championing purity while entertaining ungodly texts, DM’s, pictures and fantasy’s about the opposite sex?
The time has come for us to live the authentic lives that we portray in pictures of our bibles on social media #Blessed #QuietTime #LoveThisPlace, or the purity that we showcase with our celibacy rings, and bracelets and reminders. We’ve got to stop being so worried about how we look on the outside that we’re ignoring the spiritual needs of our soul.
I remember when I first got saved I told the Lord that I was going to give up my make up for a season. I love make up and I think it enhances the God given beauty that all women have. I feel as though it polishes my appearance and shows that I care about putting my best face forward, literally.
For three joyous months I could just breeze out of the house after ironing my clothes and quickly doing my hair, I could blubber and cry during worship at church without fear of mascara streaking down my face, and I grew much more confident in knowing that I didn’t need to wear make up to feel comfortable. I was enjoying who God made me all on his own. Though my love of make up was still there, my love for God grew stronger when I realized that he thinks every face is my best face, make up or not.
What are some areas of your life that may look great externally but need a little help internally? Are you an outwardly content single, secretly pining away for your marriage season to come? Are you addicted to porn and masturbation, while preaching purity and honor to your peers? Do you struggle with actually studying your bible after you’ve taken creative pictures of your quiet time for social media? Give all of your struggles to God, for “his yolk is easy and his burden is light.” The Bible actually says to cast your cares onto Christ. So vent to God. Tell him exactly where you are and be brutally honest. Genuinely express your need for help and then take action. Delete social media apps where you can’t completely control what you see on your feed (stay away from Instagram’s explore page) Stop watching television shows and movies and listening to music that arouses your flesh to do things that you will regret later. Change your number, block hindering people on social media, spend more time reading your word and studying it to show yourself approved.
For the rest of my life I’m devoted to the sanctification process. Becoming like Jesus is not some magical experience that happens overnight, it takes time. It takes a steady accumulation of saying yes to God and no to our flesh daily, and even then life never stops, through Christ we just manage to handle it better.
Don’t be afraid to be an outcast or to be different, or unrelatable. I’ve actually heard all of these words used to describe myself and I know that the Lord will continue to mold me into the woman that he desires me to be in spite of everyone else’s opinions. Jesus’ life one was big ole season of being unrelatable, but God used him to relate the gospel to others and to make eleven really great friends along the way.
Be yourself, be honest, and trust God to partner with your repentance in creating a true change in your heart!
Love,
Amber D.
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