Transformation
In this rapidly changing world many people are changing how they do “life.” Ordering a lot more on line and going out less. Sound familiar? During the COVID-19 quarantine many of us were, and some still are, working a lot less than usual and/or working from home. In the thick of the quarantine time I found an endless “to do list” of things I was faced with. My mind came up with project after project that I would love and “needed” to get done. Can anyone else relate?
One of my recent projects has been chalk painting my old furniture. Now, I’ve never chalk painted before but between you tube and my artistic Aunt I felt virtually supported and pumped up to start. I have a secret child like enjoyment I get from arts and krafts but typically don’t allocate any time for these types of activities because something else usually demands it. So here I was all ready to go. The first and most important step, from what I researched, is to make sure the thing you are painting has been cleaned well. This is important so the paint goes on smoothy, I think. As I began to paint I felt my stomach start to get butterflies of nervousness but excitement. The once old and ugly piece of furniture began to change into something with more promise. I had completed the painting process but still had the wax to go. A little quick tip if you have never chalk painted. I learned you have to wax it at the end to keep the chalk paint from rubbing off. Wax comes in clear, white and brown. Well, I had a brown wax and let’s just say when I applied that to my lighter paint I thought I ruined it! It looked horrible. I felt sick and slightly panicked. I pulled myself together rationalizing that I was going to donate the piece of furniture anyway so worse case it still gets donated. But I had spent so much time, ughhh. Have you ever done something that takes you so long because you are learning as you go. That was this project of me. However, as I began to wipe the wax off the furniture it began to transform again. It ended up looking really nice, like I had bought something new.
This got me thinking about our lives. Sometimes we get into patterns that take us to places we never intended to go or turn us into people that we would never want to be, like an old piece of furniture. I have been in that place more than I want to admit. But reflecting on these valleys in my life I can see how God was the “chalk painter” and friends it’s not his first time. If we commit to following the Lord, God’s grace will transform our lives. This likely won’t happen overnight but with consistent surrender to the Lord he can accomplish unimaginable and unrecognizable things in your life. Your spirit will illuminate and others will began to notice and want what you have. The bible warns us that the enemy will try to distract us, tempt us with something that is easy and pretty. Like buying a new piece of furniture. I can tell you from experience that this path will not lead to a life of joy but instead of sadness. In Philipians, Paul writes and encourages us to keep our eyes on those who live as we do. Then again, in Corinthians he encourages us to run your “race” in such a way that you may win.
As women, we need to lift each other up and be supportive. I would even take it a step further and say we should be discipling one another. Weather you want to work on finishing school, starting a business, improving your health or whatever it might be we should align ourselves with other women who have succeeded or have these same goals. We can accomplish and learn so much from other women who have done what we are trying to do. Similar to how my Aunt walked me through chalk painting. While this is a small task we can compare it to a larger scale. Let’s stop living lives of comparssion and start living lives that make a difference. What will people say of your life? I pray that the Lord looks at my life and says well done.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your pursuit of us. Lord help us to see patterns in our life that might not be pleasing to you. Give us the strength to break the bonds that might be keeping us in these cycles. Father I pray for a transformation of our hearts to be more like you. Lord I pray for restoration of our country. Help us to be brave. Amen