Beauty. Who do you allow to define your beauty? It’s easy to allow my perceptions of what others think to determine if I’ve had a good or bad day. But I cannot allow my self-image (good or bad) to be defined by others but defined by the JESUS. He bore all our sins on the cross declaring “It is Finished”. After all, as a child of God I am to reflect HIM not me. On my own I am worthless but because of Jesus I have life, breath, and beauty. The other day I saw flowers that were about to be thrown away. I love flowers and wanted to save them from being thrown into the dumpster. The flowers were moved off the sales floor because they were out of date and according to store policy they were no longer suitable for selling. The flowers had some dark spots and wrinkles. They had seen better days. It was as if the flowers value was based on how much money they would make. In a weird way, I saw myself in the flowers. How many times do I allow the world to define my beauty? How many times do I feel as though God is throwing away my dreams and allowing the world to triumph when in fact God is drawing me nearer, nearer.
Jesus is the one who breathes life and vitality. He is the one who brings beauty. “So, the King will greatly desire your beauty; because He is your Lord, worship Him” Psalm 45:11. If you are a child of God than your worth is in Him. And here’s the crazy thing. Maybe you are seeking Jesus and yet you still feel like the forgotten flower. But when we are seeking Jesus we will shine but others may not appreciate the heavenly fragrance. So maybe you are letting your light shine for Jesus. I know it is not easy. Keep looking to JESUS! Heb. 12:1-2. Sometimes it’s all I can do to get out of bed. But you know He is so faithful. God carries me one step at a time. Jesus warned us that the world would hate us if we choose to passionately follow Jesus (John 15:18-19). So maybe you feel like the friends you used to have want to “throw away” your words every time you talk about God. Or every time the aroma of God’s word surrounds your countenance people want to walk away as if you stink. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” 2 Tim. 3:12. If people are bothered by how you are shining for Jesus, don’t take offense but rather be encouraged that God is using you!! God uses our actions, our words, and even our silent prayers for His glory but sometimes we never see the fruit because it happens underground. Sometimes God will show us a glimpse but we won’t see the whole picture till eternity. “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I now in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” 1 Cor. 13:12. For now, we must simply walk by faith. So maybe we will never see the full impact of our short lives until eternity. Life is so brief. Dare to be a gorgeous flower that blooms for God’s glory. Let the fragrance of your attitude carry forth the sweet scent of the gospel…..even if others want to throw you away…..you never know how God is at work.
Thorns amidst the Roses 