It’s Friday! That means it’s time for Five Minute Friday! Linking up with @lisajobaker and friends. Writing for five minutes, on a one word subject, with no concern for grammar, punctuation, or editing. (This can be difficult for someone who leans toward perfectionism.) It’s fun and it grows me each week. Here goes! This week’s word…
–MESS–
Perfectly polished nails. Not a hair out of place. A business suit that fits like a glove. Shined and spotless heels.
I was the picture of success on the outside.
But on the inside,
I was a mess.
No one knew it though. I was pretty good at hiding the real me. I was told to “fake it until you make it.” And I did.
But when God got a hold of this mess, things began to change.
He began to show me who I really was under that suit and perfectly polished exterior.
He began to change me from the inside out.
He instilled a desire in me to be transparent and real, and no longer fake.
He took my focus off the shiny things of the world, and put it entirely on Him.
He turned my mess into a message.
And I proclaim it still today.
I’m reminded of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Luke 11:39 (bolded mine)…
You Pharisees are a walking contradiction. You are so concerned about external things—like someone who washes the outside of a cup and bowl but never cleans the inside, which is what counts! Beneath your fastidious exterior is a mess of extortion and filth.
(I had to look up fastidious. It means demanding, hard to please.)
That was me.
God wants to turn your mess into a message too.
We all have something. Your mess may be different than mine. It probably is. But God can use our mess to grow us and help others. Each one benefits.
And He gets the glory!
Those nails aren’t so perfectly polished these days. And I’m okay with that.
Happy Friday, friends!
Julie
I think we were tracking the same for this FMF. I love when that happens…I feel like I’m meeting an old friend. I appreciate your recognition of Him doing work from the inside out. So often we try to clean up the outside. Love that scripture you used. Great post.
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your words of encouragement. Sounds like we have some things in common! I’m heading over to your post next. I love how FMF introduces us to new (or old) friends! Have a blessed weekend.
Had to come & visit you as well 🙂
I have always thought the phrase “fake it to make it” was the worst piece of advice one could be given. It is only in authenticity & truth that we find wholeness. I was blessed to read this post!
Welcome, Joanne! So glad you visited! I completely agree about that piece of advice. There’s such freedom in being authentic. I’ve learned that the hard way. I’m glad you were blessed. It’s good to have “met” you through FMF!