What we see on the outside doesn’t always match what
is on the inside. Sometimes, the
confidence we see on the outside doesn’t match the insecurities and
fears deep
within. Religious behaviors don’t
always indicate a pure heart. Jesus
called the Pharisees hypocrites because their religious exterior didn’t
match
what was really going on in their hearts (Matt. 23:23). Hypocrisy is revealed when the inside doesn’t
match the outside. Pious exterior
behaviors don’t always line up with the attitudes of the heart which
are exposed
with a glimpse beneath the surface. We
have all met people who have great wrappings on the outside but leave
us
wondering what is going on in the heart. Failure
to see it in ourselves is a dangerous blindness.
On the flip side, when the outside invites further investigation of something inspiring on the inside, that is something beautiful.
Zachary’s girlfriend inspired me this week when she and Kristi were putting together a care package to send to him inEgypt
When we give the container of our life to God, which makes complete sense when we realize that He created us and purchased our freedom at the cross and so is the rightful owner, He puts beautiful treasures within. Those riches of His grace serve as a gift to others when we live authentic, open lives. The abundant life of following Jesus is filled with contagious joy from within. The fun will happen once the container is opened and the treasures of His beauty are discovered and shared as we live out our love for Jesus.
When we invite Jesus into the depths of our hearts, He works from the inside out. He comforts our loneliness by the fullness of Himself. He fills the void, heals the hurts, gives us confidence by faith over fear and security in Him over insecurity that grows when left to ourselves. Only He is able to clean and renovate the inside so that others are interested in seeing what is there. It’s the inner life of the spirit where the adventure unfolds, full of colorful surprises in the hands of the creative, amazing God who formed and transforms us, hidden treasures to be mined out and shared.
I want to draw out the colorful fingerprints of God residing on the inside of people I am serving. God is at work there, and it is an adventure to unwrap the shell of people we love and help them to be open with who they are in Christ. What a beautiful thing when we open ourselves to let others see what is really inside, allowing God to transform and reveal Himself to a world so in need of the peace and hope that only He can bring. Be unwrapped!
On the flip side, when the outside invites further investigation of something inspiring on the inside, that is something beautiful.
Zachary’s girlfriend inspired me this week when she and Kristi were putting together a care package to send to him in
When we give the container of our life to God, which makes complete sense when we realize that He created us and purchased our freedom at the cross and so is the rightful owner, He puts beautiful treasures within. Those riches of His grace serve as a gift to others when we live authentic, open lives. The abundant life of following Jesus is filled with contagious joy from within. The fun will happen once the container is opened and the treasures of His beauty are discovered and shared as we live out our love for Jesus.
When we invite Jesus into the depths of our hearts, He works from the inside out. He comforts our loneliness by the fullness of Himself. He fills the void, heals the hurts, gives us confidence by faith over fear and security in Him over insecurity that grows when left to ourselves. Only He is able to clean and renovate the inside so that others are interested in seeing what is there. It’s the inner life of the spirit where the adventure unfolds, full of colorful surprises in the hands of the creative, amazing God who formed and transforms us, hidden treasures to be mined out and shared.
I want to draw out the colorful fingerprints of God residing on the inside of people I am serving. God is at work there, and it is an adventure to unwrap the shell of people we love and help them to be open with who they are in Christ. What a beautiful thing when we open ourselves to let others see what is really inside, allowing God to transform and reveal Himself to a world so in need of the peace and hope that only He can bring. Be unwrapped!
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