A friend of mine posted a Tik Tok video recently of a man representing purity with a rose. He explained how the teacher would pass the rose around while he gave his message. By the time the rose reaches him, it's destroyed. The point is that by being with so many others, you are damaged. "Who would want this rose?" he says. In the end…it says Jesus would. I loved this so much because it's so true. Sometimes we think we have damaged ourselves beyond repair, or beyond redemption. This could be by how we have physically treated ourselves, the relationships we are in, the way we talk to ourselves mentally. Whatever it might be, nothing isn't too broken for God.
One of my deepest struggles I have to consistently take to God is how I look, or how I am seen by other people. I want to blend in. I want to be shorter. I want to be thinner. I want to be quieter. I want people to like me… "no, be honest here Jess"…I want everyone to like me. I don't like disappointing people. I want perfection. Yet, this isn't what God calls from us at all.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
When I realized that I was living this out, I chose to paint "Reckless Love."
It's based on the song by Cory Asbury. The lyrics are:
"Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it. Still, you give yourself away."
Jesus died for my sins while I was still a sinner. I don't have to be perfect to be loved. Neither do you.
Where I have felt abandoned by people that I love…God is there for me. Adopts me as His.
Where I feel ugly…He sees Beautiful. Wonderfully made.
When I feel lost…He says I am found.
Like a flower, I'm growing more and more to be like Jesus. I'm not perfect, and neither are you. That's the beauty of it all. He meets us right where we are at. Anytime I get a sense that I am struggling in this area, I go to scripture, I look at this painting, and journal my prayer out to God to help me remind myself that I am beautifully and wonderfully made.
What areas of your life do you need to hand over to God, and trust that it isn't too far gone to be repaired or redeemed?
You are loved, You are Wanted, You are Beautiful,
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