We are not ugly no matter what others might be saying (Galatians 4:7)!

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4:7 (TM)

Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

QUOTE:

Anthony of Sourozh writes in Meditations on a Theme: “Perhaps you remember the touching and heart-rending phrase of young St. Vincent de Paul: ‘O God, I am too ugly for human beings, perhaps you have a use for me?’ We are all ugly but we are all dear to God who has faith in us. Would (God) otherwise have taken the risk of calling into existence for all eternity – not for a passing moment – each one of us?... Instead of asking ceaselessly the question ‘what is wrong with me?’ why not ask ourselves the question ‘in what way am I already akin to God? in harmony with (God)? How far am I on the way of reaching the full measure of the stature of Christ?’ Would not that be more inspiring in our striving for perfection?”

OBSERVATION:

Isn’t it true that at some point in our growing up years we all looked in the mirror and felt the deep feeling that we were “ugly”? Hey, growing up was a challenge and painful. It was during those awkward years when the hormones were raging, zits were multiplying faster than we could deal with them, we felt that we really didn’t fit into our own body and we were having one embarrassing moment after another. Boy, we were ugly – inwardly and outwardly. Plus, we felt that nobody cared or understood.

But most of us finally, thankfully, grew out of those feelings. And yet, every now and again, we find ourselves falling back into that mental and emotional trap as an adult. We start kicking ourselves all over again and we drag out that old name “stupid” hanging it around our necks for the world to see.

Been there? Yep! Too often? Yep, again!

Why? I don’t know about anyone else, but for this old preacher it is because I’ve lost sight of the kinship relationship that I have with God through Jesus Christ. How about you? It is all about focus.

We fall back into the “half-empty syndrome” – our life is not what we had thought it was going to be at this stage of life. We regret that “could have” “should have” and the “what ifs” of our journey – instead of embracing, with enthusiasm, how much God has blessed us, embraced us, and lifted us up.

Valentines Day is just 7-days away. Why don’t we each give ourselves an extra hug by standing before a full length mirror looking ourselves in the eyes and hear God share with us that we are beautiful, we are somebody, we are a joint heir of the Kingdom of God with Christ. Why? Because God doesn’t make junk! We should be enjoying the ride because with Christ it is literally the ride of a life time!

PRAYER:

Hey, God, we really need help keeping our focus on this “joint heir” stuff. The world would have us believing that we have failed and we are ugly, that we just don’t measure up. Help us to remember, often, that we are joint heirs to the Kingdom … to the Kingdom of God! Wow!