Thursday, March 31, 2022

Beauty, pt. 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moCqVAF2ak

Ghost ~ Crowder

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

~ Isaiah 61:1 NIVUK

 

The saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” is an opinion, implying that value, (beauty), is generated by a person's opinion. People’s good opinions can be useful and appreciated. However, allowing them any higher value can be extremely dangerous.

 

I know.

 

In my younger years, I was a people-pleaser. I wore myself out trying to gain the good opinions of others: my teachers, peers, and family. Sadly, I equated others’ opinions with the level of my worth. One careless word and I was shattered. Fortunately, in my early twenties, God put women in my path who were very strong in their faith-walk, and they taught me how to cultivate my relationship with Jesus.

 

As I read my Bible, took notes, asked questions, and learned to listen for and recognize God’s voice, I was given the greatest gift: realizing my true value and worth begin and end in God. In God’s unchanging opinion, I am loved, cherished, beautiful, and worth more than rubies. He knows my future and my past, and still, I am precious in His sight! That revelation really rocked my world, in a desperately needed way!

 

In his song, “Ghost,” David Crowder tells us to “Get ready.” As we invest in our relationship with God, reading, listening, and asking questions, we need to “get ready,” because He wants to change our lives! He loves to rip off the lies and lavish us with so much love that we won’t have room to doubt our value or worth in Him.

 

Knowing how this revelation healed my heart and my mind, it deeply saddens me when I see others—both adults and kids—trapped by the lies that their value is determined by the opinions, and sometimes careless words, of others. But God’s got a plan! He wants those who’ve received this great revelation to share it with others, so they, too, will know that their value and worth lie in Him, alone.

 

Thank you, Father, for giving us the gift of this revelation. Help us to share it, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming freedom for the captives, and releasing the prisoners from darkness. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2022