To be beautiful...

October 22, 2009

I had fully intended to write on something else today, but I changed my mind when I read the quote of the day that I receive in my Google Reader. Here's what it said:

"All God's children are not beautiful. In fact, some are barely presentable."--Fran Leibowitz.

For a moment, I felt offended.... and then, I thought about it some more, and you know what? She's absolutely right. On several counts.

When we lose our witness, that is, when we don't look like we belong to Him. That's ugly.

You know what else is ugly? (not an exhaustive list...)
When we serve other masters.
When we return evil with evil.
When we choose the paths of unrighteousness or self-righteousness.
When we dishonor others.
When we dishonor ourselves.
When we don't love our brothers and sisters.
When we don't love our enemies.
When we disagree with those we elected to govern, we attack the men, not the issues.
When we choose bondage over freedom, or law over grace.

Any time we do any of the above (have you ever?) it's called sin. Sin's ugly. We come to God not at all presentable. We're told in Romans 3:23, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I do ugly things daily, but Oh, glory, glory, glory to God, he makes me beautiful.

We have an amazing and glorious privilege to be able to come to Him in confession and repentance. Take hold of this gift that God gives us-- become beautiful again. Accept His forgiveness, knowing that ugly is gone! Walk in joy and celebration and beauty, like you belong to Him!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

^24-25And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes. (Jude 1:24-25, The Message)