In a world where there are so many scars and bruises, it can be hard to see the beauty underneath those. There was a day in class where my professor handed out plain white sticky notes to everyone. He told us to stick them somewhere that we would see every day. This seemed so insignificant at that moment. What could I possibly want to look at a white sticky note for every day? He then carried on to explain the purpose behind the sticky note. He pointed out that this little, square white piece of paper was a symbol of the new life that I have in Christ, and that I am made pure through His grace and mercy.
WOW. Let's just say, that sticky note suddenly became significant to me.
As I still look at this sticky note today, stuck on the inside of my Bible, I am forced to ask myself: Do I really believe it? Did I ever truly believe that this sticky note could be more than just a symbol, but that it could actually be truth in my life? After all, if I was made pure, I would not still feel so dirty. I would not still see myself continuously as a disappointment to the One who I strive to be more like.
WRONG.
Oh what power... For my God placed the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky, and they have yet to have fallen down. May I never be weary with doubt in all He can do for me.
But that is the point, you see. God does not want a perfect heart, He just desires the heart that I have to give. He desires the heart that is bruised and scarred, and He longs to mold it into a heart that longs for Him in return. I am made pure and clean, not for the sake of feeling perfected, but for the sake of glorifying Christ through my story of salvation.
"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
It is not always easy to see myself how God sees me. I see my mistakes, my sins, and my scars. I see the pain in the world that I feel helpless to create a solution for. There are many burdens on my heart that I cannot calm down at times. Yet even still, He sees me as a beautiful example of the need for Christ. He sees me as an image bearer that is capable and called to complete His work. Even in my feelings of inadequacy, He continues to choose me to help serve His Kingdom through loving and encouraging others.
Although my white sticky note will some day wither away, God's longing for my heart's inner beauty to flow into others through ministry never will.
