"It is a rare sould indeed who has been sought after for who she is - not because of what she can do, or what others can gain from her, but simply for herself . . . so what are we to conclude? Often we conclude that there is nothing in our hearts worth knowing. Whoever and whatever this mystery called I must be, it cannot be much." John Eldredge and Brent Curtis (The Sacred Romance p. 83)
Chapter 2 begins with a story of a time Renee came home to notice a envelope taped to her door. Sure that it must be something good, like a thank you, she excitedly opens it to find a notice from their HOA stating the front of their house needed repairs and painting within 30 days or a fine would be issued. She continues to talk about how her frustration. From a distance the home looked fine. The only way someone could tell the work was needed was to get up close and really look. She compared this to our lives. In an effort not to be labeled high maintenance, we just keep people at a distance where we can keep our mask of fine in place.
She talked about the acronym fine = FRAZZLED, IRRITATED, NEUROTIC, and EXHAUSTED. She also discussed possible reasons we might say that we're fine:
* we want to be fine
* we hope that by saying it, eventually it will be so
* others expect us to be
But the Truth and the reality is, we're not fine and we will eventually reach a point that we can no longer pretend. Being honest about how we feel is risky, especially with our insecurities. We believe that people see our doubts they will not only see them, but then add to them. This leads us to pretend which leads us to hide and isolate when what we really need is someone to pursue us and accept us, flaws and all.
Renee then discusses the Gospel of John, chapter 4. It is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. She has nicknamed her Sam. Sam lived a life where she was a societal outcast. She was judged by her culture so badly that she comes to the well during the hottest part of the day, when her work load would be so much more tasking, yet she would not face others. She has searched for years for acceptance, love, and approval and only found herself discarded and unworthy, leaving her to feel imperfect, ashamed and unloved. In comes Jesus. She didn't know Him, but boy did He know her. Even though his culture did not approve of men talking to women in public places, not to mention that she was a Samaritan, the most despised of all enemies. . .yet He was there. He spoke with kindness, gentleness and humility. He accepted her, even after showing her that He knew exactly who she was and what her life had been like. He met her while she was alone and sad and He is waiting for us too - to love us, to accept us, to Know us and have us Know Him. His love is patient and kind and keeps no record of wrong doing. . .His love is perfect and that perfect love casts out the fear that our doubts can leave. Only when we allow this love to penetrate our walls, when we allow Him to enter our lives, can He begin to help us change from the shadow of our doubt into the basking of His light.
Praying God's Promises
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I may know Him better. I want to know and rely on the love You have for me, Jesus, and live in that love. You say that whoever lives in love lives in You, and You in him. In this way, love is made complete in me, so that I can have confidence today and forever. I want an up close and personal relationship with You, one where I don’t have to pretend or hide.
When I feel insecure, insignificant or unloved, remind me of Your perfect love that has the power to cast out my fear. Thank you for Your love that is patient, is kind, and keeps no record of my wrongs. I trust that because Your love is perfect, I don’t have to be. I will remain in Your love and be confident of this: that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Scriptures to Lean On
John 4 (Sam's Story)
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