He Can Change Us from the Inside Out
Have you noticed that makeovers are the "in" thing? People from all walks of life are trying to look better. Millions are spent each year on cosmetics, exercise paraphernalia, and plastic surgery. Makeovers are so popular that a TV show even features makeovers of houses! God does want us to be our very best, but He has His own way of making over his people, and it even affects the way we look.
The exciting thing about the Lord's makeover is that He can change us from the inside out. I believe the main thing that changes us from ashes to beauty is knowing his love for us. Have you seen what someone in love looks like? It's easy to recognize; there's a glow about that person; something coming from deep down inside. I've known people whose very countenance changed as they grew closer to the Lord.
Years ago I had a friend who didn't wear any makeup, didn't care much about her clothes, and had nothing spectacular about her features, and yet she was beautiful. I remember talking with my husband one day about her, and we concluded the reason for her beauty was that she just loved Jesus. She was so filled with His love for her that she radiated beauty.
When you truly come to know the love of God, the height the depth and the breadth of it (Ephesians 3:17) you will be changed forever. Love is the one thing that changes everyone for the better. Love motivates us to change. When someone loves us we want to be good to them in return; we want to look better and be kinder. Love can soften the hardest of hearts, but without love, hearts become hard and unhappy.
That unhappiness or sadness in our souls changes us on the outside. People can see it in our faces, even if we try to cover it up. You know the kind of people I'm talking about; life's dealt them some hard things and they've grown sad or bitter. There's an obvious difference in the countenance of people that know they're loved, and those that don't. The more unhappy the face, the less people want to be around us, and the sadder we become.
God never meant for His people to live in sadness, depression and low self–esteem. When Jesus went to the cross, He died not only to give us salvation, but also the abundant life. Jesus said, "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come that you might have life and life abundant" (John 10:10). Jesus is not just talking here about money. He's talking about that abundance in our souls that can only come from knowing God. The abundant life Jesus died for us to have is only ours if we know that it is meant for us, and know how to obtain it.
For a makeover that endures, we must start on the inside by letting go of all of the past hurts and wounds, and allowing the love of the Lord to do its work. We must put aside the negative thoughts and words spoken about us – by ourselves and by others – and look into the Word and find out what God thinks of us. When we do, an amazing thing happens; God's love changes us on the inside, which in turn changes the outside.
It's hard for us to comprehend how much God really loves us – that He would send His son to die for our sins, and to give us the abundant life. God loves us and wants to be involved in the tiniest details of our lives. He cares about your child that's wandered away. He cares about the heartaches you've had since childhood. He cares that you need a job. We must let Him enter into those places and repair the damage with His love. God alone can love us through those hard times. When you take God at His word, and really meditate on His love for you, it will change you!
God's kind of makeover is truly extreme. It takes the very worst of who we are, and heals and restores us so that we can be His children on this earth. God's way cuts deep into our souls and changes us for the better. We can trust our Father because he's faithful to finish what He has begun. If you don't like the way you look on the outside, ask the Lord the show you what's going on inside that's keeping you from being all you were called to be. He'll be faithful to show you! Let Him love you, because that is what will ultimately change you from the inside out.
TINA UNDERWOOD
Tina has been ministering for over 18 years with the message of God's love and redeeming power. When she gave her life to the Lord at the age of 20, she knew that God had prepared a future for her that was unlike the past she lived through. Determined to seek God's direction for her life, she allowed God's truth and healing to set her free and accepted the calling of God to take the message to others. Captive No More Ministries was established in 2004, but has been taught in churches and groups for many years prior. In 2008, God opened the door for Tina to take the ministry of Captive No More full–time. In 2008, she completed her first book, Captive No More, which is filled with her inspiring teachings and should be released in 2009.