| October 2005 Devotion |
| Flawless CJ Rapp Have you ever noticed how the women in the magazines always appear flawless? Nothing is ever out of place. Their hair is perfect, their skin is smooth, and their make-up is always perfect. I have studied how photographers get that “flawless” picture. The shot is scheduled for a certain time of day and then they still add lighting. Models spend hours in the hair and make-up chair getting "the perfect look". Different attachments are added to the camera lens to get the right contrast. In some cases, they add huge fans to blow the models hair and clothes to add that extra dramatic touch. Hundreds of pictures are taken to get one “perfect shot” and even then, it is retouched or airbrushed before publication. Why, to hide any imperfections of course. Have you ever wondered what it must be like to go to such extremes to hide a perceived flaw? You know, I have observed that it is not only models and photographers that try to get that “flawless” look. I see it happen all the time in our everyday lives. We think, “If it looks good on the outside then it must be okay on the inside”. We mask, we cover, and we hide hoping that our friends will not be able to see who we really are…tragically thinking that to be acceptable and lovable we must appear “flawless”. We can’t let anyone see who we really are for fear that they might see we are sometimes human and flawed. We cover and conceal our past hoping that no one will ever find out we made mistakes, and still continue to fall short in some area’s. We cast a good light on our relationships and say “everything is fine”, when inside we sense that things are beginning to come undone. We hide our hurts, we cover our disappointments, we conceal our flaws, and we hide from the truth. By doing so, we completely strangle the healing power found in our relationship Jesus. Beloved, do you know that we don’t have to hide our imperfections? There is freedom in knowing that God can use everything in our life for His glory. Do you know that the Lord runs to meet us when we are willing to open up and share our heart, our struggles, our pain, and our victories? How do I know…because in Luke 4: 18b-19 Jesus said: “…He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus came that we, you and I, might be free from everything that takes our heart prisoner and from every oppressive word, thought, or experience. For every lie we believe that whispers, “you have to be flawless to be acceptable”, for every thought that screams, “we are not good enough”, for every heart that breaks with rejection, for every soul that struggles with healing…freedom is waiting. Jesus stands there with the key. Do you know what the key is? It is the amazing truth of His love found in His word. He wants us, the blind, “to see”. Do you know he calls you “Beloved”? Do you know that He wants us to see ourselves with His eyes? Do you know how He sees you and do you know what he has done for you… “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22 Beloved, to Him, you are flawless. For Reflection: Do you journal? This is a good opportunity to start...ask yourself, what does it mean in my life to know that I appear flawless in God's sight? What prison stills holds you captive, and how could this truth help free you from that cell? My prayer for you... Father, how thankful we are to you for freeing us...and how grateful we are to know that we appear flawless to you. How great your mercy and your love must be! To know that your desire is to shower us with love - that you call us beloved! Father, my we see, more clearly every day your truth. May we allow our hearts to believe and begin to live it abundantly! May we learn to surrender our imperfections to you to be used for your glory...may we feel your love more and more each and every moment we live...may our hearts rejoice in the knowledge of who we are in you... free, loved, restored, acceptable, flawless. In Jesus most wonderful name... Amen I love you guys...CJ |
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