Lately I've been working hard trying to get into shape for summer. Swim suit weather will be upon us before we know it, guys! And as a result I am feeling myself slowly transform, but can’t see the results much yet. If you are a human being whose been on this planet for longer than thirteen years, you probably can sympathize with how frustrating that is.
It makes me wonder, though, why it is I’m not entirely happy
with the way God made me. It’s not that getting in shape is wrong, but I think
part of it is motivated by the feeling
that God didn't quite make me perfect. Which is totally ridiculous,
considering “perfect” is a fluid concept in today’s world and “beautiful” is
almost unattainable without Photoshop and a paint brush. Then why do we, as
human beings, fall into this trap? Why are we plagued by constant
discontentment when it comes to how we look? Is there something wrong with us?
Well, yes, there is. It’s called sin. Sin festers inside, making us feel gross and unhappy, which oozes out
of us into what we see. Even if we are Believers saved by grace, we've had
that old self rotting inside of us so long we still see it when we look in the
mirror. We still have to fight to transform
our brains to the way that God thinks. And that’s like climbing a mountain
backwards- it goes against our nature (the “natural” or sinful man), and
gravity (the “World” or society) fights to pull us down.
Think about it. Everywhere we look “beautiful” women and men
grace the covers of magazines, are used in advertisements, and act on
television. It’s only been recently that “imperfection” has been touted as a
desirable trait. And I think it’s because people
are tired of trying to measure up. So instead of working our tails off to
look like a runway model, why not use models that look like us? Why not idolize
the actors that have imperfect teeth or a plus size body? If we force that to be our idea of beauty, then we’ll all be beautiful.
The only problem with that is we really aren't- at least not on the inside, in God’s eyes.
If we lower our standard of beauty so that we, too, can be beautiful it makes
it that much easier to squash the little voice that’s been telling us we aren't
good enough. And we need that voice. We need it desperately. Without it, we don’t realize just how much
we need Jesus.
But in the end, maybe seeing the imperfect as beautiful
could be a good thing, too- as long as
we transform our minds to see as God sees. Everyone knows the verse in
Psalm 139 that says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” But I think the
last half of verse 14 is often overlooked.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
(Psa 139:14)
“Wonderful”. The King James Version uses the world
“marvelous”, as in “something to be marveled at”. Synonyms for that would be:
an awesome sight, amazing thing, sensation, miracle, or phenomenon. Or, as I
like to think, perfect. Perfect are your works.
Who are we to tell
the Artist of the World that his work is less than amazing? Who are we to
think that we can “improve” upon it? If I was born with a turned up nose, how
can I say it isn't as beautiful as someone else’s? If I have a scar, how can I
call it ugly when it’s what God chose to give me? How can I dishonor His marvelous creation like that?
That’s not to say we shouldn't exercise or remove a
cancerous mole, but the reasons why we do these things are very
important. Just like our motives for changing our inner selves need to be
Godly and pure, the reasons for changing the outer need to be the same. The
outside reflects the inside, after all.
So how do we change how we think about ourselves? How do we
make sure our motives please God?
This next part just blows my mind. Read verses 17 and 18 of
the same chapter:
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
Notice how this section comes
immediately after the one that talks about how God created us and our
lives. Now, I know I may be stretching a bit, but consider this: how often do
you look at your garish freckles or too thick/thin body and think, “I wonder
what God thinks about this”?
Often I've thought in terms of “what does Scripture say on
this subject” but for some reason actually asking
myself what God thinks about
something isn't a habit for me. In fact, the mere thought of what God thinks is too much for my
mortal brain to handle. It produces the same reaction that the Psalmist has in
verse 6. It is too wonderful for me. It is too high, I cannot attain it.
What God thinks should be something we consider all the
time. We should meditate on it, prize it. Instead of distancing ourselves
from problems by thinking in terms of “Scripture says”, we should be up close
and personal. We should ask, “What does
God think?” (Which is found in the Scriptures so don’t abandon them!) A simple change of words can transform the
way we see the world.
So what does He think? He thinks you and I are marvelous. Who are we to say otherwise?
What areas in your life do you need to reconsider from God’s
point of view? Have you been distancing yourself from God by using the wrong
terms? Would changing them make a difference in that situation?
Think about it.
P.S.- I just wanted to leave
you with some verses to reflect on how marvelous His Works truly are. I hope
they encourage you!
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
(Psa 92:4-5)
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
(Psa 104:24)
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
(Isa 25:1)
"As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”
(Job 5:8-11)
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength --who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?-- he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.
(Job 9:4-10)
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
(Psa 98:1-3)
The stone that the builders rejected (Jesus) has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
(Psa 118:22-23)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1Pe 2:9-10)
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