Outside In

     Tonight as I was washing the dishes, I noticed that I tend to wash the outside first, and then the inside, and I was reminded of the time Jesus scolded the pharisees for washing the outside of the "bowl" and not the inside. It's an accurate picture. I wash the outside of the dishes first because it's easier. The outside usually doesn't look too dirty, so I just give it a quick swipe before the real work... the outsides of our lives are easier to give a quick swipe too, aren't they? Not just that, we want to look pristine and perfect on the outside because we're afraid of being judged. That fear isn't unfounded either, because you will be judged. I will be judged. There's always going to be somebody, maybe in your church, or your family, or among your friends who is going to judge you when you don't look like you've got it all together. Sometimes, if you don't have a pristine outer life, people are going to go so far as to say your faith isn't real, and you're a hypocrite. So no, I'm not going to tell you "Don't worry, you just feel this pressure to have it all together, when really nobody expects that of you." cause I'm not about to lie to you. Some people will turn on you faster than lightning. Here's the thing though... we don't have to live in fear of their judgments. The Psalmist says "The LORD is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ~Psalm 118:6 Choosing to work on your heart, and the inside of you is a scary thing, because when you're working on your heart first, your outside life is going to a mess. Let's be honest, we're always learning and growing, and if we focus on that growing, our outside lives are always going to be a bit of a mess. We don't have to fear the judgments of man though, because God is with us. When we surrender the idea of looking perfect on the outside, God can begin to truly work on our hearts, and change us from the inside instead of us trying to maintain a perfect exterior and hope the inside comes along with time. So let's let go of this, and stop washing from the outside in (this need not apply to the dirty dishes sitting in your sink) and let God work on our hearts, and change us on the inside. Be messy, choose to not always have it together, and above all, just be real. It's not a sin to appear less than perfect. In fact, our weakness showcases the might and glory of God!  "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9  So please, stop fighting this losing battle, and allow His perfect love to drive out all your fear, and give Him control of your messy life, holding nothing back. "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." ~Philippians 2:13

                                                   ~Katie Stone~