be-YOU-tiful.
Luke 14:13 (The Message)
But if you're content to be simply yourself,
you will become more than yourself."
More and more I am realizing that, as a Christian, I have always tried to "be good" to show Christ to this world. But, now I see, there is nothing in me that is good. Nothing. The Bible is pretty clear on that, so I don't know why it has taken me this long to "get it". God is the only one that is good. When I am so busy trying to make myself look good, perfect, smart, etc... I am not pointing anyone to God, I am only pointing them to me.
So, let me clear the air, I struggle with perfectionism, I fight negativity, when I am tired or hungry I get cranky...just ask my husband. :) And, I would really like to lose ten pounds. Too much noise overwhelms me. I can't tell a joke to save my life. I'm a late bloomer who does everything about 5 years too late. I get defensive when my husband tells me how to do something. I am selfish with my time. I hate talking on the phone. Making decisions bugs me.
And I really am working on all of that. Well, most of that... But, some of that is just how God wired me. He didn't make me the female Jerry Seinfeld! He made me. BE-YOU-tiful me.
He also gave me some great gifts and I am not trying to downplay them. I just want you to know. I'm a fallen human just like you. You're not the only that struggles with their thoughts and has some horrible things in your past that you try to hide. I am saved only because God is so tirelessly and totally gracious to me.
If you grasp the concept of of just being you. Not trying to be better than you... or worse, better than someone else...you will have a grasp of humility. Humility is at the very heart of God. He even humbled Himself! Who am I to try to make myself appear better than I really am? So, in doing this, I am going to be fearless about who I am. No more facades!
So, let's just keep our goals simple:
1. Loving God & soaking Him in - like Mary, sitting at Christ's feet.
2. Loving people.
That's it. And if I get this, I think I'm going to be just be-YOU-tiful.
Kristen
So, let me clear the air, I struggle with perfectionism, I fight negativity, when I am tired or hungry I get cranky...just ask my husband. :) And, I would really like to lose ten pounds. Too much noise overwhelms me. I can't tell a joke to save my life. I'm a late bloomer who does everything about 5 years too late. I get defensive when my husband tells me how to do something. I am selfish with my time. I hate talking on the phone. Making decisions bugs me.
And I really am working on all of that. Well, most of that... But, some of that is just how God wired me. He didn't make me the female Jerry Seinfeld! He made me. BE-YOU-tiful me.
He also gave me some great gifts and I am not trying to downplay them. I just want you to know. I'm a fallen human just like you. You're not the only that struggles with their thoughts and has some horrible things in your past that you try to hide. I am saved only because God is so tirelessly and totally gracious to me.
If you grasp the concept of of just being you. Not trying to be better than you... or worse, better than someone else...you will have a grasp of humility. Humility is at the very heart of God. He even humbled Himself! Who am I to try to make myself appear better than I really am? So, in doing this, I am going to be fearless about who I am. No more facades!
So, let's just keep our goals simple:
1. Loving God & soaking Him in - like Mary, sitting at Christ's feet.
2. Loving people.
That's it. And if I get this, I think I'm going to be just be-YOU-tiful.
Kristen
Hello Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI have just found your blog - although I have a gut feeling that "finding you" is God's idea cause I can't even explain how I came across you - I just did. God has called me to do things for Him that I feel completely underqualified for and now, in hindsight, the last month and a half or so, I can see how satan has been having a field day with me; I suffer with all the things you listed in this post and am struggling to see myself as beautiful in His sight. I know the words He uses to tell me how He made me and how much He loves me etc but for the first time in my 30 or so years of faith journey, I'm trying to grapple with how His grace could possibly included messed up ol' me; and yet I realise that this is what grace can do. I really need to sit at Jesus' feet and have the courage to look into His eyes - I miss this terribly... life has become too busy (I, too, have young children). Thank you for your honesty... I look forward to exploring your blog.
Cathy (from Australia)
Cathy, thank you SO MUCH for the kind comment! You just absolutely made my day...you are why I write this blog. I am so glad it was an encouragement. So thankful God let you here...I write about a "hodgepodge" of family issues...hopefully they will be a blessing to you. I will be praying for you, because I have only recently really discovered God's grace. Amazing, since I have been a "christian" all my life. Well, God has perfect timing for all of us. God bless, Kristen
ReplyDelete