There’s a Beauty underneath all of this

²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  (Romans 8)

This passage blesses my heart so much, because it reminds me that, with God, there is always hope.  I see in this passage words like image, purpose, causes, and I sit back and drink in the wonder of God’s love for mankind.

God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  I need to remember that all I have to do in this equation, is to love God and to believe that I am called according to His Purpose.  I don’t have to work the system, manipulate the circumstances, kiss up to the right people.  God’s promise to me, is that He will take all that I am, all that I have suffered, all the gifts and talents, all the mistakes and regrets; He takes all this and causes it to work together for good.  O, the hope of living in the Reality of God.

Like so many, I have picked up a little too much weight as I have aged.  But God is at work in me, changing my heart attitude about eating well, exercise, rest, etc.  I fully believe that with Him as My Personal Trainer, I will continue to sluff off the extra weight.  We pick up spiritual and emotional weight as we age too.  Rejections, losses, misunderstandings, betrayals; it all leads to extra weight in our hearts and spirits that we just don’t need to carry around anymore.  As I get on the treadmill, eat my delicious salad, instead of a Whopper, I remember that there is a Beauty underneath all of this extra gunk I’ve picked up over the years.

This is true of our hearts and spirits as well.  Jesus Christ came to make us free.     “ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8)

Sometimes we don’t even realize that we are enslaved to things.  Bitterness, unforgiveness, pain, self-indulgence.  These bind us up inside, they enslave us.  God’s purpose for us, as stated in the Romans 8 passage above, is to conform us to the image of His Son.  I can’t think of anyone more beautiful to become like, than Jesus, Son of God, Savior.  So let’s deal with these past hurts that have left us bound up and raw with emotion.  Let’s sit before our Father in Heaven and have a real “cleansing session” for our spirits, our hearts, and our minds.  Inside me, inside you, There is a Beauty underneath all of this.  Let the rest fall away, and He will shine forth through each of our lives.  Merry Christmas to you all.  Let us rejoice in the Reality of God’s miraculous appearing.