Just a Lump? I think not.

Imagine a small child working to create a sculpture out of playdough. He shapes it meticulously and is working so hard to create his masterpiece. Finally, he’s finished. He runs to show everyone the marvellous creation that he has put so much time and effort into... “Mommy! Mommy! Look what I made! Isn’t it great?” When we see it, we smile encouragingly... we don’t want to hurt our little ones feelings, and we are truly proud of the effort they have put into it. But the fact remains... Their little creation just looks like a lump of playdough.

A lump.

I used to believe that God loved me only because He made me. That I was just a “lump” that had been created... and God found beauty and value in me the same way a child finds beauty in his playdough creations. I believed that when people spoke well of me they were humouring me, quoting the obligatory Scriptures about how I am wonderfully made, simply because they did not want to hurt my feelings.

Believing that I was a mere “lump” did nothing positive for my character, personality or appearance. I have done many things over the years to “prove” my lumpiness. I have gained, lost and regained (and lost!) weight – never being satisfied with my appearance. I have worked out in the gym excessively, having muscles bigger than a lot of men and sporting a haircut shorter than an army sargeant. I have hidden my figure behind layers of ill-fitting clothes. I have ignored my complexion and used the same make-up techniques since junior high. These were just some of the external signs that I did not know who I was in Christ. It is very difficult to display your value and true beauty on the outside, both in character and appearance, until you know from deep within you where your value comes from, and that you have been marvellously created by the Master craftsman.

It is not until you believe the Word of God that you can know how truly valuable you are and that you have been created with a purpose. It is essential as a Christian woman to receive the revelation of how God has truly made us one-of-a-kind, indispensable, and created with a divine purpose that He has put us here to fulfil. Until a woman has this revelation, she will continue to fight the inner battle of self-loathing and never reach her full potential to become the woman that God has created her to be.

Psalm 139 verse 14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I used to wonder which of those words describes me: Fearfully? Or wonderfully? But God says in that same chapter that his “works are wonderful”, and He is talking about you and I.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We all need to understand that God has created us with a birthright, those things that He planned for us before we were even conceived. These are the plans spoken of in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The enemy is a liar, and it is his goal to rob us of God’s plans. He does not want us to prosper, he only wants to harm us. He wants to defer our hope and steal our future. He uses various methods to do this. Over the course of our lives, many things can happen, and sometimes our birthright gets covered up. The enemy also tries to make an imitation, in order to deceive us into thinking we are living the life that God has planned for us.

This process of becoming who we are in Christ, is a lot like taking off unneeded and excess layers of clothes, or like opening a well-wrapped gift. When you are completely covered up with your toque, scarf, mitts, parka, skidoo suit and big winter boots, its hard to imagine a pretty figure underneath, isn't it? But once we take off all those layers and get into a nice outfit, we will find a truly lovely woman. It is the same when we have allowed things to get in the way of the potential that God has for us. There are some ways that the enemy tries to cover our beauty, our potential and our birthright. Here are some things that may add layers of stuff to our lives:

1. Unconfessed sin.
2. Living in the flesh, rather than in the Spirit
3. Wounds from the past that need healing
4. Unforgiveness
5. Curses
6. Not spending adequate time daily with God

After we remove all the excess baggage that the enemy has tried to cover our potential with, there is just ONE way to realize who we are in Christ. That is, by reading the Word of God. We need to read in the Scriptures who we are in Christ. We need to saturate ourselves with the truth. I don’t know about you, but I need it daily. It is truly my daily bread, my sustenance. There was a song when I was a kid that said, “Christ is a stretcher, not a crutch. Without His help, we can’t do very much!” The Bible says that in him we live, and move, and have our being! If you ask God if there are any layers that you need removed, He will do it... and as we all begin to fully understand who we are in Christ, as a woman created by God to do good works, which he specifically designed for each one of us, we will walk in victory and become who we truly are.

I want to leave you with this thought: I am... Deeply loved by God, Fully pleasing, Totally forgiven, Wholly accepted, And complete in Christ.

Jiffy Markers

When my eldest son entered kindergarten, I wrote his name on everything with permanent marker. I wrote on his backpack, lunch box, school supplies and yes, even clothing (because you just never know!). His belongings were clearly marked as his so that no disputes could break out if another kid had the same lunchbox.

I had the coolest dream the other night. God came down and wrote His name on the back of my neck. You know... The place that shirt tags usually sit. Then He said, "You're Mine. I wrote it in permanent ink."

Ephesians 1:13 says that "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory."

I refuse to get into an argument about eternal security. I just know that I'm His, and it's permanent.

The Army

The Army gathered on the gentle slope of the hill. Clattering, clanging and shouts could be heard as they prepared for battle. The enemy, just becoming visible over the crest of the hill in the distance, was steadily advancing in a straight, organized line directly towards The Army. Like a dark wave, the enemy ranks swept over the hill and began its descent into the valley.

A low murmur could be heard among The Army, who was now frantically trying to complete their preparations.

“Do you see the enemy? There are so many of them!”

“Yes, and they are so well-organized!”

“Did anybody see my shield? I can’t find my shield!”

Never before had there been such a foe. And never before had The Army been so unprepared. In fact, The Army looked more like a band of kids playing dress-up with whatever equipment was at hand – which apparently wasn’t much.

As they began to march down the rocky, thorny hill, The Army quickly realized the essential item that had been left at home – their boots!

So, the enemy passed through the valley and advanced up the hill toward the sock-footed Army. The enemy wasn’t worried – they knew that The Army had also left behind their Swords.

Ephesians 6:10 – 17 (NIV)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”