As she stood there standing in front of the mirror with her eyes opened, all she could see were thick, thorny, vines covering her. That is what life circumstances and experiences had done to her. She realized she was suffocating from the cold, prideful, sinful, heartless, hurt, and prideful person she had become. Surely, there was more to life than living it in these conditions. What is like to even live much less breathe without hurting?
There is a better way, it’s the way of Jesus Christ.
John 10:10 NIV | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full
But as she trusted God’s process, she looks in the mirror and finds who she is becoming. Not who she was or what she has done.
Looking back at her in the mirror is a girl with fewer thorns and open holes from the thorns that God has plucked out. Holes that God has covered with grace and planted His seeds of truth and are beginning to sprout.
This is my 2018. I am her.
After God moved me to the holler, there were many thorns that needed to be plucked away and filled with His truth, grace, and love. It is a process and I have had to trust Him and acknowledge that His ways are higher. God has been a patient and loving Father with me through the process. Although it’s hard and it hurts, I am thankful that He loves me enough to prune back the branches and pluck out the rotten branches that have rooted in my soul. I am thankful that His mirror reveals the truth but does it in a kind and gentle way without shame and full of grace.
The pages of my Bible are tear-stained, worn, and falling out. The paragraphs are highlighted, sticky note prayers inside, completely marked in, and answers to questions only God could answer. You can say it’s been a year full of learning, applying, and walking out God’s truth in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
John 15: 2 NIV |
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
If you feel shame, sadness, and despair when you look in the mirror, I want you to take a hard look at yourself and decide it’s time to start following Jesus. Start by reading His Word and apply His truths to your life.
When you align yourself with God and His will for your life, His promises will be yours, His love and peace will be yours, freedom will be yours, and a new life in Christ will be yours.
Hannah Boyd
God’s breath gives life to our bodies, how foolish of us to ignore when our soul thirsts for our Maker and deny our soul its true longing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to you with a thankful heart for everything you have done to bring me to this place and I praise you for the things you about to unleash in my life. Though the process hurts, thank you for loving me with a love that can’t be comprehended so that I may live my best life abundantly for you. Continue to guide me as you know I desire to walk and live out Your truth. Pluck any areas that are not of You as I know you know what is best for me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Personal Reflection
- As you prepare to enter 2019, what would you like to change about the person you see in the mirror?
- What is God telling you to change?
- How is God telling you to act?
Prayerfully yours,
Hannah B.
Collective Circle Gathering 