Imagine
retrieving your mail at the local post office and walking out to the parking
lot to find the townsfolk swarming around your vehicle. That happened to the
guy who parked near us. People gathered
around his car taking photos. Excited
neighbors asked him questions about his 1956 restored classic shiny red and
white Chevy Bel Air convertible.
I
picked up our mail and got into our truck and noticed my husband missing. Where did he go? He joined the Bel Air crowd taking photos with
his cell phone.
Next
thing I know, he slides into our front seat and flashes a photo under my nose of the
guy’s hot model. “The neat thing about
this car is the gas cap hidden under the driver’s side rear tail light,” the
husband informs.
I
learned that not only is this beauty appealing to the eyes, but her
not-so-pretty part was hidden from view.
She looked good from every angle.
With
two close girlfriends in tow, I drove halfway across the state to attend a
Christian women’s luncheon several years ago.
A fancy chandelier hung in the restaurant dining room sparkling above a
roomful of lively women. Pastel
tablecloths draped round tables set with elegant tableware and bouquets of fragrant
fresh flower centerpieces. The speaker’s
Biblical points intertwined with humor and laughter filled the room as she
stood at the podium in a pretty pink spring dress with shiny ecru shoes. Many followed her invitation to come up front for prayer and hugs as
she closed her message.
There
was only one thing wrong with this speaker.
Oh, she looked good on the outside, but secrets lurched within that she
refused to admit so she hid them. You
would never know it looking at her but God knew. I know too because this woman was me.
The
successful event dazzled the crowd but I left feeling like I weighed 300
lbs. I knew better than to ever step
foot in a ministry position with a heart that’s not pure.
I
didn’t enjoy dinner with my girlfriends that evening. Nor did I look forward to a “pajama party” at
our hotel later.
Confession
is the only way to be free from sin; God promises to forgive us every time. After I talked to the Lord about my behavior,
I asked my girlfriends to pray for me.
They
did not judge me. “Don’t think you’re a
fraud or a phony,” they said.
They
knew I felt that way. They reminded me
that God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable, Romans 11:29. In other words, God’s Word proves spotless,
powerful and able to save even in a flawed vessel.
I learned never to pretend. We Christians need to call each
other to a higher standard. God doesn’t
expect us to be perfect, but integrity plays a huge part of our faith
journey. Whether we’re preaching,
parenting our child, working for a paycheck, leading a Bible Study, or writing
a blog post, let’s do it with a pure heart.
We serve a holy God!
You spread out
our sins before you
Our secret sins
And you see them
all.
Psalm 90:8
That is a lovely car!!! Great post and analogy, thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDelete" I knew better than to ever step foot in a ministry position with a heart that’s not pure." and...
ReplyDelete"Confession is the only way to be free from sin:...
I love the way you said this Mary, I know the truth of it in my own life, and I know the forgiveness that you also found.
Remember Evie? The little scandinavian singer, she used to sing a song... "clean before my Lord I stand and in me not one blemish does he see."
What a miracle! :)
SO beautifully written, as always. And wow...what an epic car :)
ReplyDeleteawesome car
ReplyDeleteIf my son sees this, I'm sure he'd be among the crowd that is marveling at this car because that's his passion since he was a tot.
ReplyDelete"Create in me a clean heart, oh God..." is what is being echoed in my mind as I was reading your post. David, the one who did an awful sin yet called "a man after God's own heart." Yes, you're right! When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (and the best truth): He cleanses us from all unrighteousness!!!
After all, it is a daily confession of what doesn't belong in our hearts that marks a true Christian since the attainment of purity nor the absence of sins don't make us righteous. It is having the right Spirit that makes us pure. I pray that not only me, but many will accept that challenge as you ended your post. "To never pretend" and remember Who restored us and Who makes us righteous! It is very much needed...indeed...in these trying times. Be strong in the Lord's mighty power sister. So inspirational that your honesty with us, your readers, you bravely spilled. Though it happened years ago, it reminds me that the only way this "Bel Air" can move and shine, is only if it is powered by His. Yeah...though "flawed"... :) Love to you sister. Be blessed.
I like the car and I like how you were "real" here and "confessed" that you needed to get something off your chest after you spoke to the ladies at the retreat. That takes a lot to hear the nudging of the Holy Spirit and then expose yourself to your friends, ask for forgiveness, get prayed for, and then remember to be pure of heart the next opportunity to present the word.
ReplyDeletebetty
Quite a car! My dream car is a 1967 red Corvette! We as Christians all seem to hide behind masks at one time or another. We know how to talk the talk but often my heart is much different than what comes out of my mouth. Thank you for opening your heart here.
ReplyDeleteThankful for God's mercies, fresh every morning.
ReplyDeleteThat Bel Air Chevy is cool ... but your message wonderfully refreshing. Hopefully, your 'confession' will give another soul the courage to share their burden.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. I don't know how far since it started that so many people are now calling most Christians hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteWe need not pretend to be holy or superior. We need only to follow Christ to love one another. Only then would people see clearly who and of Whom we are. :)
WONDERFUL post today! When I was preparing to leave for the mission trip I went on in February I knew part of my preparation was with myself! I had to clean up and clean out a few things within my own life before I could be used of God to make a difference in the life of another. God ministered to me in ways that I can barely talk about without boo-hooing. Enjoyed this so much today. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
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ReplyDeleteMary i love this post and i am really blessed that i have you as my blogging friend around. We also share the same feeling about being in the middle of the ministry but you know in your heart that there's something that you need to surrender it to God.
ReplyDeleteThis one's a blessing and a help for me. I love how this post is so genuine and true. God bless you and your works, i wish to hug you in persion! :)
Love and appreciate you so much, sweet friend. Thank you for your honesty and the love with which you write every, single post. God bless you abundantly!
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best analogies! I'm glad you got to speak at the conference and I know you ministered to those sweet ladies.
ReplyDeleteWell, this post will preach, sister. Fooling others never brings peace and joy within. Honesty is like exercise for the soul; it pays huge dividends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty and encouragement.
And I forgot about the gas caps on the old Chevys too. Just bein' honest.