The Lord is still showing me that I am complete in Him, that He is perfecting me with each and every trial I endure. He gave me yet another illustration of this yesterday. I had a dress custom-made for a special occasion, but when I received it, it was not what I paid for. I took the dress to a skilled designer to see if it could be fixed and she said it would be better to start over from scratch. I agreed with her, because I must have the dress that I chose, the one that I paid for.
That imperfect dress reminded me of the issues in my life that I didn’t feel like dealing with. The ones that I have never conquered because instead I would avoid them. I realized that God wasn’t going to let me out of it this time. He wanted me to complete the process. If I do not see this thing through, I will be like that dress – incomplete and poorly constructed.
I will have to endure the rough parts this time so that I can become whole. I may have to be taken apart and properly sewn back together before I look like what Christ paid for with his life – His glorious Bride, spotless, without wrinkle and dazzling like a thousand Swarovski crystals.
Lord, it is my prayer today that You would make me over. I have cheapened my own design with materials that don’t belong on me like negative thinking, fear, doubt, worry and old patterns. I don’t want to be a poor imitation of the original You created me to be. You design only the finest and that’s how I want to see myself. Thank You for investing only the best in me. I love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (New King James Version)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
If you are married you can probably remember this moment. If you are single you may have fantasized about it.
Imagine you are at your wedding reception and the MC is introducing you for the first time as husband and wife. As wild applause breaks out from all of your guests, you enter the room with the love of your life, the man/woman of your dreams, the one who makes your heart beat fast and gives you shortness of breath. The sweetest part of it is that this fantasy Being Loves you and is even more proud than you are to be called your spouse. You may want to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming.
In fact, you are not dreaming. As the Bride of Christ, this is your every day reality. Jesus did not escort you into the reception and leave you there. He is walking with you during every moment of each day, proclaiming to everyone within view or earshot how much He loves you. The love, the safety, the comfort, the security you felt as you entered the reception with Him is always available. However, for some reason, we forget that we are the apple of His eye. We sometimes go through the motions of our daily routines as if we are alone. We somehow have no joy or excitement even though we have this pure, gorgeous, perfect Love right by our side.
His beauty is matchless, His Love unfathomable, His strength limitless. And He chose YOU. Isn’t it mind blowing?
Thoughts like these have me blushing in the middle of the day for no reason. I remember something He did or something He told me and I lose it! You chose me, Lord? You love ME??? No wonder I am Blessed, Happy, Fortunate and to be Envied! (Amplified Bible – Psalm 34:8; Prov 31:28)
Spend some quality time with the Lover of your soul today. Delight in Him!
Song of Solomon 2:4 (King James Version)
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
