Before the Beauty Shines

If you could see my den right now, you would wonder what was going on. Actually I’m quite happy you can’t see my den right now. As I write this, I am in the process of putting together my Christmas village for this season. It will be beautiful once the buildings, park and train station/tracks are all set in place and lit up. Right now is quite a different story. There are boxes and tables and long cords with burned out bulbs that are in the process of being changed. Disarray is the best adjective for what will soon be a beautiful village.

Do you ever feel like your life is quite a bit like this village? Inside we may know that there are gifts and talents that God can use to shine to a hurting world. At this stage we often wonder if we will ever be ready to be used by God. We can see the progress that He has made in developing our character. Then we take another look and mostly see just how much farther we have to go. We may remember beauty from the past, but now all we see how much more work will be needed in the future.

The fruit of the Spirit is continually being developed and matured in our lives. We may have maintained peace even when circumstances have been unpleasant. Then seemingly out of nowhere something comes into our lives and our reaction is anything but peaceful. It is the time that the light bulb of peace must be replaced so that we can continue to shine. This can be true in any of the characteristics in which we are growing to make us more like Jesus Christ. At times our string of godly character may have more light bulbs in need of replacement than those that are shining. We simply confess our weakness. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].” (1 John 1:9 AMP) He will place a fresh light in the newly cleansed area of our lives.

There also are those gifts and talents that need to be unpacked before they can be set out. The unpacking process requires taking away all the excess packing materials. Little by little and piece by piece God works at peeling away all that must be stripped off so that we can shine with the love of Jesus. Selfishness, pride, insecurity, ulterior motives and many other negative character traits can hide the beauty of the gifts that are within each of us. We may catch a glimpse of these gifts, just as we can see a picture of the building within each box. But the true beauty of the gift can only shine through after we allow God to peel away all that does not belong in our hearts. “…let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us…” (Hebrews 12:1 AMP) Once the excess has been removed, our true gifts and talents can be expressed.

The scene that is coming will be beautiful. I am excited to pull out all of the treasures. I do not mind replacing all the burned out lights. And I look forward to placing each piece exactly where I choose to make this village the most beautiful of all. It is exciting to know that Almighty God takes far more pleasure in forming us to be and placing us exactly where He desires. The care He places in each one of us is far beyond our imagination. He is creating something beautiful in each of us. And He causes us to shine brightly. Jesus stated, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14AMP)

Look past the disarray you may see in your life. Allow God to do the unpacking, put you together and fix the broken lights in your life. Then many will see you shining and marvel at the beauty of the love of God.