My prayer for you today is that you would be a reflection of Jesus Christ and whoever you come in contact with will see Jesus in you!!
Have you ever held up an ornament in front of your face and seen your reflection in it? I am always so fascinated by those big, shiny bulbs. Sometimes the reflection can be a bit distorted and out of proportion and other times, it is a perfect reflection of who we are. Our family has a Christmas tradition where we let our daughters pick out a new ornament for the tree – an ornament of their very own and of their own choosing. Some years it becomes quite the adventure to find that “perfect” ornament. As I look at our beautiful Christmas tree, I see a wide variety of ornaments. There are homemade ones made by little child hands and lots of love (my absolute favorite), nutcrackers, glass and very breakable, sparkly and glittery ones and some that reflect the true meaning of Christmas. I love them all and each one has a story behind it. I couldn’t help but think of the following Scripture found in I Peter 3:4. It reads:
”Let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
Rebecca St. James quoted this verse as follows:
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe
yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within.”I remember my mom always telling me that it is what’s inside your heart that counts. As I have grown through the years, I see how important that is. I am trying to instill that in my own daughters.
The Bible is not saying that outer beauty is not important, but it is telling us that it should not take first priority. We should not let it define who we are. We need to be known for the inner beauty that only comes from a genuine relationship with Jesus. Outer beauty is the first impression that someone gets of us; but inner beauty is what makes a lasting impression. Everything we say and do comes from our heart. People are watching us. Our family and friends, and even the people we meet on a daily basis are watching to see how we act and live our lives. Just like one of those Christmas ornaments hanging on our trees, our hearts and lives are on display for all to see.
How are we representing Jesus Christ? Is it with corruption, or is it with a meek and quiet spirit? I want to be an “ornament” for Jesus – one that is beautiful and lovely – full of meekness and a quiet spirit. I want my life to be a reflection of what is in my heart.
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God has made everything beautiful in its own time.”
Psalm 139:13-14 “You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.”
I Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance of his heaight, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you become “ornamented” with the beauty of Jesus. Allow Him to cleanse your heart and make it beautiful. In Jesus’ eyes, you are priceless!
Loving you today!
Debbie Carr
You are a beautiful ornament! Thank you for investing in each of the ladies of our district with these beautiful and timely posts. I personally am blessed every time these arrive in my mailbox. May God continue to bless you and keep you!
Thanks for your wonderful hospitality this last weekend! You and your family are so dear to us. With love,
Nancy Vencill