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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

God's Poster Child

“...for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name;
you are Mine.”

Isaiah 43:1b

I recently had to call someone and apologize. While we were at an event, our tongues got a little loose while we chatted—especially mine. Free-flying words turned to gossip. After I left, I felt sick to my stomach. I emailed an apology as soon as I got home.

Her response caught me off guard. She said, “It’s okay, Laura. Actually it’s kind of nice to know you make mistakes too. You’re like the super Christian, super Mom and everything. It kinda makes me feel better to know you’re human.”

Okay, WoWzer. How can this woman not know that I’m a mess?!?  Super Christian?…not!  Super Mom?…be a fly on the wall of my home, and you will strip the big red letter “S” off my chest in a hurry. For whatever reason, she had the impression that I was “put together.”

For years, I tried to be. And I know many women that are struggling to do the same thing. We want to be it all, don’t we? Think about it…

We wanna be…
*Confident, fashionable and fit.
*Incredible moms who never have to raise our voices.
*Women who can cook and clean, whistlin’ while we’re doin’ it.
*Scheduled, structured and in-control.
*Available. I can drop everything to help a friend in need.
*Double available. They need my help at church.
*Wise and discerning…able to counsel others.
*The super duper perfect wife.

On and on—and all of these are further complicated by what we think others expect us to be. The harder we try, the harder we fail. And if we’re not careful, we’ll end up just like the rest of the world—helpless, hopeless, desperate and dependent.

If you’re already set free from this way of living, that is awesome. Celebrate by helping me share this good news with the rest. Ready?
You—precious believing sister in Jesus Christ—YOU—are God’s poster child. Not the kind that shouts out, “Look at me—I’m something!” But one that shows others what God has done in and through You as you’ve thrown your hands in the air, surrendering to His awesome ability. “Lookie at what God did. He saved me for His name’s sake, to make His mighty power known!” (Psalm 106:8)

Over the years, I have learned how deeply and perfectly God loves this daughter of His. But it’s not because of anything I’ve done; it's because of who He is in me. I don’t have it together. Just as Paul said, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” It is when my heart stays in a constant stance of prayer that the fruit of the Holy Spirit spills out and behaves like a loved daughter of the King through me.

The same is true of you, sister in Christ.
He lavished His love on you and called You His child.
And that is what you are! (from 1 John 3:1)

Nothing you do or don’t do will cause Him to love you more or less. You may have those days where you feel like the least qualified person on the planet to hold the title of Christian, Woman, Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Friend. But because He holds the title of Sovereign Lord and Master of the Universe, He will help you to accomplish what He’s asked you to do, as you willingly hand all titles over to Him.

"The One who calls you is faithful, and HE will do it.” 
   1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV (emphasis mine)

So what’s your story? Do you think you’re too much of a mess to make a difference for God in this world? Do you look around at other Christians and think you’ll never be as good as they are? Do you listen to a message, only to hear condemnation instead of hope? (see Romans 8:1).

The Lord wants to set the record straight. He wants you “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep” His love is for you, confident that He will fill you “to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Not so we can have a grand title for ourselves, but so that He can receive the glory and honor that belong to Him.

“And we, who with unveiled faces 
all reflect the Lord’s glory, 
are being transformed into His likeness 
with ever-increasing glory, 
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18

We are HIS poster daughters.

Friends, let’s say this out loud together and make it the cry of our hearts, our prayer for today:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably
 more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us,
to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! 
AMEN.”
(EPHESIANS 3:20,21, NIV)



In the Key of HE,

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18 Comments:

Blogger Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Oh Man! I thought you had it all together too my friend lol. This was a great post and spoke right to me. Thank you my friend for being so gifted and using it for the Lord's glory.
Hugs.
Kim

November 18, 2008 at 5:09 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Amen, thanks for this.

November 18, 2008 at 5:14 AM  
Blogger Laurie Ann said...

Thanks for keeping it real, LauraLee. That's what I want to do. I want to let all the glory go to Him. I praise Him that He has turned this huge mess I am into something He can work with, and I rejoice that I am the Daughter of the King! What more to life is there, really? We are so loved by Him! Thank you for this devotion. It was *wonderful*!

November 18, 2008 at 8:14 AM  
Blogger Patty Wysong said...

Do you have a tissue in that super purse of yours? I need one. You hit the spot, Laura...

I'm soooo thanking God for His GRACE this morning!

November 18, 2008 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Thank you guys for your comments and your encouragement.

Oddly enough, I wrote this post in advance, and what a Wowzer that it would hit on a day like today. I am overwhelmed with so many things to do, more than I can handle, and I am battling a spirit of discouragement. One of the qualities I love so much in my Heavenly Father is that He will use His words in our lives over and over and over again to bring our focus back to Him.

So truly, today I am saying it out loud to Him, with a chord of weepy mixed with grateful:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us,
to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
AMEN.”
(EPHESIANS 3:20,21, NIV)

November 18, 2008 at 9:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No matter what happens, I can hang on to His promises. Thank you for reminding me of that today!

November 18, 2008 at 9:57 AM  
Blogger Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

Funny – poignant – genuine – unadulterated truth!
It is a gift to reach us where we are – today you succeed by way of Scriptural truth.
GOD’s Word is amazing – it touches us EXACTLY where we are.
Wonderful post, Lauralee!
~esthermay

November 18, 2008 at 11:22 AM  
Blogger Joanne Sher said...

First of all, Laura, that poster made me LOL - very LOUD! And, of course, I look like that more often than I can count (though I don't think anyone has ever taken a picture of me that way!).

What excellent truth, and what an important reminder! I needed this--I almost ALWAYS need this!

November 18, 2008 at 11:40 AM  
Blogger lori said...

girl....I told you before...that was goooooooooooood.....really goooooooood! Honest, and truthful and what we ALL need...sounds like your day fell in line with mine:)
Thanks for this, I NEEDED it!!

peace!
lori

November 18, 2008 at 5:11 PM  
Blogger Betsy Markman said...

Amen! I'm living proof of the truth of Paul's words:

"God has chosen the foolish things of the world..."

Hugs to you from a sister "Poster child!"

November 18, 2008 at 6:27 PM  
Blogger Susan said...

Hey Laura,

This was just great. We all can truly identify!!

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for the encouragement to keep on keeping on, no matter what!

Blessings♥

November 18, 2008 at 10:35 PM  
Blogger Susan said...

PS.

Loved the Poster!!!

November 18, 2008 at 10:35 PM  
Blogger Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

I could be His billboard! It is so good for people to see us for the humans we are. Then they can see and know about The One who helps us! Praise God that He does!

November 18, 2008 at 11:06 PM  
Blogger elaine @ peace for the journey said...

The picture says it all! Are you sure you aren't mocking me? It's funny the perceptions we develop about others, and then we get to know them and we remember that we are all as dust. Nothing good lives in me, except for Jesus. Nothing. I promise. Spend a few hours in my life and you'll witness the contrast between what I so desire to be, and how it usually breathes.

Great thoughts.

peace~elaine

November 19, 2008 at 4:51 PM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Wow, Elaine, that is exactly the way that I feel too. I was a little afraid to post the picture, because I didn't want it to come across wrong, but it serves to set up what He was compelling me to say, and I'm glad I followed His leading on it.

Your comment reminded me of the book "Everyone's Normal Til You Get To Know Them." (can't remember who wrote it), but isn't that so true?

But what you said above about the contrast: well, desire is where holiness begins. Don't know how we could even pursue holiness or sacrificial living without desire. I desire that kind of desire!

thanks for sharing!

November 19, 2008 at 7:31 PM  
Blogger TREY MORGAN said...

The picture rocks! :)

April 21, 2009 at 10:20 AM  
Blogger Vicki Dauer said...

Yes, so many roles, and we want to play them all perfectly. But when we give them up and give ourselves to God, He can make a difference. Thanks so much for sharing so honestly---and for sharing that picture!!
Vicki Dauer

June 30, 2009 at 5:04 PM  
Anonymous Mary said...

Wonderful! Oh, my this made my day -- I'm feeling like this today. Completely outside of myself, but I know that it's not me but He works in me! Let me cling to that!

Love this!!!

August 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM  

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