Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Before I get into my topic, I have a little business to take care of. As most of you know, each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog.
In celebration of my new release, "The Uncommon Woman"
...this month I'll be giving away a $50.00 VISA gift card to someone who posts on my blog.
Each week I'll post what it means to be uncommon and I want to hear from you! Share your own insights and perspectives. Lots of people visit this site and will definitely glean from what you have to share.
Now, on to my topic...
You may be wondering why I posted a picture of a couple of pairs of feet today. Well, I have a good reason!
Those feet belong to my husband Kevin and me (the big ones are Kevin's).
Let me tell you, I don't know another person who enjoys their feet like Kevin does. He loves his feet! In the morning when he sees his feet for the first time, he wiggles his toes and says hello as if he and they were long lost friends.
I envy him. :)
I have ugly feet. Or at least that's what I've thought all my life.
I can say this with a light heart now but when I was a child, my sweet father (whom I adore more than words can say) made a joke about my feet and his words left an indelible impact on me.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was standing on the edge of the picnic table with all of my weight on my toes. I was getting ready to do a back flip off of the table (something my sisters and I did with some regularity).
My dad sat down at the table, looked at my gnarly feet, and said, "Yikes, you have ugly feet!..." He went on to say a few more teasing comments about my calloused feet as I went sailing through the air to complete my back flip.
He was simply teasing and meant nothing by it but for the next 30 years or so, I was convinced that I should hide my feet. Even now, I have such an appreciation for cute feet because right now, with a secure heart and mind, I can look down at my feet and say, 'You know, he was right. My feet are pretty gnarly looking!" But I can laugh about it.
What does this have to do with titles, labels, and freedom, and how does it connect with being UNCOMMON?
Of course, my 'ugly feet' story is a small and trivial matter in the face of the real issues and deep pain we all deal with.
Every one of us have been on the receiving end of words that shot like an arrow to the center of our souls. Without thinking too long about it, most of us can think of hurtful assessments and judgements that have left their mark on us. Furthermore, most of us remember many of our own words that we wish we could retract.
We can all think of past mistakes that still have the power to haunt us (unless of course, we've truly been set free from them).
And on the flip side, we can all think of certain titles, accomplishments, or associations that we have relied on to give us a certain sense of importance or validation. Often, we pursue 'titles' and 'position' to make up for the wounds and the lies that bind us.
Jesus was not impressed with position or titles, and He came to set us free from our past mistakes, hurtful words, and binding labels.
Here's an excerpt from "The Uncommon Woman"...
"Jesus came to destroy the evil hierarchy that exists in our world. The Bible says that He resists and distances Himself from the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. He draws near to and confides in those who love and fear Him. He confronts those who are impressed only with themselves.
"Consequently, the banners of title and position are not the solutions for someone burdened by labels accumulated from past hurts. They are merely substitutes for the true identity that Jesus offers. Covering up insecurities with accomplishments never turns lies into truths.
"What's wonderful is that Jesus came to take off the demeaning dunce caps that have been piled on our heads. He gladly peels off the scarlet letters that have been pinned all over us. Whatever we have been through, whatever we have done, whatever others say about us, Jesus can forgive it, heal it, rebuild it, and redeem it! He makes all things new." (pp.94-95)
It's for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free. Refuse, therefore, to be subject to a yoke of slavery, of lies, and of old words.
Embrace the beautiful truth about yourself. You're totally loved and completely provided for. You have everything you need to love and forgive others the way God Himself has loved and forgiven you. Be Free!
Until next week...