Sometimes, when the road is the only solace. Hardships have no answers. Camels threads start to break backs slouched with questions. Wings tempt snipping with doubts and decisions…..
……The best thing to do is praise Him.
This day. Coming empty. Each mile taking off layers……of well caked on make-up.
Images not mattering anymore….when rain falls…..And the world needs a Savior.
I lift my voice. Not caring who sees. Worries….falling down my cheeks. Freely. And the road becomes straighter.
Heading to buy an outfit. In case I have to testify….on her behalf.
Filtering through….like a Rolodex…..my own history of incriminating evidence. Before I met Christ. Realizing….
We are not so different.
And I am glad this is not me. On trial. For who of us can stand…apart from Christ. No matter how good we are.
We are all condemned. None of us, perfect. (Rom 3:23)
Reading recently. Thankfully. We will not withstand judgement. (John 3:18) When we come to Christ.
We….as believers…..as faith followers….with evidence of our surrender…..Will simply need to enter….
Those Holy Gates.
And I wonder why it is so hard. For us to get it. When we constantly put on make-up, outfits, all types of ornaments….to decorate ourselves for Christ.
Me….the worst of sinners. Me….once living, the most disguised.
Like our little girl….standing trail…..clothed in fear and shame.
Or the women accused of adultery…..wrapping herself in pain. Ready to be stoned.
And why are we….Christians…..the one’s ready to through stones?
Aren’t we the one’s who should be saying, “Get up. Sin no more. Go free. You have been Redeemed….In Jesus Name?”
Captives set free….setting others free?
That easy.
Yet, I have been both the guilty and the free.
And I, in the past have changed my clothes frequently…..
- The Religious. Hidden in Self-Righteous attire. Colors of indulgence. Necklaces of Judgement. Heals of insult. Ready to throw stones.
- The Martyr. Without much. Unworthy. Apparently unwilling to put on make-up. Or fancy ornaments. Wearing sackcloth. Of shame….as if it will somehow help.
- Rebellious. Trying to find Christ. Thinking the world is freedom. Threaded in rebellion. Seeking the fads and the trends and the styles the world tells us. Because the church didn’t cut it. And it’s easy to get offended.
- Apathetic. Hiding in black and the shadows of doubt. Not wanting to listen, believe, or understand. Wearing whatever is easiest. Sweats of selfishness. Not needing anyone….not even Jesus.
And so many other outfits…..hiding our fearfulness. The fearfulness…..of standing trial.
Because I thought. I believed…that I had to change myself for Christ…..
In order to be wanted. Needed. Worthy to walk into His presence. Worthy to even have an identity.
But I was wrong.
And as I drive on. Worship opens the gates before the throne. And I see Him. Gates open. People surrounding His heavenly abode. His hands. There. Open. Wide. Welcoming me on….
On….to where I need not decorate myself for the beautiful, omnipotent, resurrected Lord.
And it is ever so clear. God is getting The Bride ready before He comes back.
And…..
Maybe that means…..He is not sending believers to a salon or to get a manicure like I had thought.
Maybe getting the bride reading. Means. Simply…..
He is stripping us.
Stripping us….
Of all we have on…..
So, even the most expensive outfit…..cannot earn our way home. It cannot reconcile us to God. It must be. Simply. And only. The blood of Jesus.
Just Him and us.
Naked. Real. Raw.
Transparent.
Nothing between the Lord and His children.
Because us….in the flesh….can never please God.
Because in us…..
Is the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead. And regardless of what the world tells us….That is enough.
And because of this….
We don’t need to stand trial.
And we don’t need to dress up.
We just need to come humbly before the Holy One. Repentant. Naked.
The bag of clothes in my passenger seat…..now suddenly seem wasted.
Voice lifted. Praising Him….Freely. Carelessly. Wildly in love with The One who accepts us…
Just the way we are.
All the way home.
14 Comments
Your photography is beautiful as was your post. Stopping over from “Hear it Sunday, Use it on Monday.
Linking up after you at Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Mondays – so beautiful written, thank you for sharing these thoughts. Yes, strip ourselves of all that we put on, and hold on to Him alone. Needing to walk in this every day.
Judith & Cherry – Thanks for the Visit from Heart it on Sundays. Cherry – Yes, so do I…all day…everyday…need to remember that all we need is Him. And all He wants is us…without decorations.
So thankful we don’t have to dress-up for Him to love us!
Allison – Yes, my friend. So love that EVERYONE who calls on the Lord will be saved….how He takes our filthy rags, and clothes us in righteousness. So beautiful is our God.
Faith, by grace. Such a gift, that none of us should boast! (Ephesians 2:8) Loving what Jesus did for us on the cross & loving His community here! Love & prayers, Cynthia
beautiful Jen! We are all on trial aren’t we? And we will all stand naked before the King. So why do we try to hide like Adam and Eve? Pretending that we are okay and placing the blame. Praying for the captives, and that includes me. Captive to our own thoughts and ideas and the devil until that glorious day!!!
Cynthia – The cross. The cross. Oh, the glorious cross. That reconciles hearts…to Him. Welcome & so glad to have such blessed women reading.
Brownie – Ya, it amazed me that there is no new sin under the sun…and us, like Adam and Eve keep hiding in layers from Him. So glad He came to set us captives free. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
Amazing and good, truth speaking and real, beauty and captivating pictures. Thank you
Your robes of righteousness shine like white GOLD.
Your face is aglow, reflecting the Glory of the Lord, in whose presence you have worshiped.
The glory of God is your rear-guard.
In your mouth is the two-edged sword, proclaiming truth.
Your past is hidden never to be looked at again, and your future is glorious.
Praying for you and your dear girl that soon she will see herself clothed in bright raiment, fit to dance before her King; forgiven, set free, and full of thankful praise.
These ” light” afflictions are but for a moment, but are working for you [ both] and exceeding weight of glory.
Feeling your heart’s cry and responding with fervent intercession. One can put a thousand to flight and 2 of us ten thousand. Whatever 2 of you on earth are agreed upon, it shall be done for you. The Word of the Lord goes forth and accomplishes the purposes for which is is sent forth. Believing that goodness and mercy shall follow you [ both] all the days of your life, and tat you will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever, amen.
Every time I read here I wonder about your girl and think of our oldest granddaughter, (adopted), and the life she would have had if her birth mom, on drugs and in and out of jail would have kept her. She is our sunshine and I can’t imagine life without her.
Fun that you know about Cannon Beach!
Thoughts – Thank you. Blessings to you.
Mary – Speahless at that powerful prayer. Just speachless. Thanks for standing in the gap, for interceding on our behalf. Your prayer hit the mark, without a doubt. Blessing & continual gratitude, ~ jen
Elizabeth – What a gift to have an adopted granddaughter. I can imagine what a treasure she is. May God bless her & keep her & let her lift be a continual testimony of His unrelenting grace for us all.
My outfit of choice tends to be perfection. I know that I received salvation free and clear out of nothing I did to earn it, but I seem to think I have to measure up to that now as a Christian. I have to put forth this picture that says I deserve it. Which is impossible. Because I don’t deserve it.
Mary Beth – Excellent example of the outfits we wear when we come to Christ. I can so relate. Why is it grace is free..but then we try to earn what has already been pain for? Been there…done that, my friend.