How easy it is to share beautiful things. How many people have gotten their own fame, their own television show because of how gorgeous they could make their home or their plate? But, what if the only thing you have to share isn't lovely at all? What if it's unattractive and tainted with a scarlet letter no one wants to wear? Is it still worth sharing? It's really hard to live in a place where being loved by the world seems to be the only semblance of success. Yet, here I am conflicted on if ugly ever has a place. You see, the Lord takes the hideous and makes it beautiful. But, this beauty is subjective. His work is on a different level and culture doesn't usually see through His lens. The real question isn't if His work is worth sharing. The real question is if we are brave enough to share our ugly to shine His glory? Is our reputation more important? Is being loved by the majority the only thing that counts?
This, my friends, is where I land. I am not an incredible decorator. I can follow a recipe but leave so much left to be desired. Photo filters are the only thing that make my photog skills even slightly eye appealing. I will never be picked up by a network or sponsored by a brand. Even people who love the Lord hesitate to be associated with my story. It's that "bad". But who am I to let fear of rejection and judgement stand in the way of the hope that pours from the Savior. After all, the more despicable the starting point, the more powerful the redemption.
You have to know that I am a podcast listener. I absolutely love to listen to women's stories and the Jesus that they found through it all. But, most of the stories I have loved are from someone who has been wronged. The one's that people can love on because it wasn't their "fault". The ones that place a scarlet letter on someone else and don't get me wrong, I glory in these stories! I love to see the Lord's great rescue and healing. He is that kind of a daddy. However, his fatherly love isn't limited to just that. He also comes hard after the offender. That is actually one of the many things that makes Him better than human. He is not limited to love and forgive and rescue only the one hurt but also the perpetrator. Not because they deserve it or because they won't have consequences, but because He wants to see them restored to a relationship with Him. He wants to see them live out their days made new, sinning no more, and ending their ugly days in unity with the only one who could have ever known all their sin and loved them anyway. Don't take my word for it: ask David or Zaccheaus or the Samaritan woman at the well...especially ask her.
Where are the stories of the "other woman" who in her darkest days tore a family apart or the wife of the registered sex offender who dared to obey the Lord in reconciliation when the world shook its head in disgust? They go silent. How can they ever go into even Christian community and ever be fully known because there are parts of their story that are hard to swallow. Do these women deserve a Savior? In the midst of the hurt and judgement, it sure seems like the world only has vengeance for them.
Thankfully, we don't get to make that call. While the world may shun them, it is only Jesus who gets to decide who is worthy of his grace. I believe the Lord has said, "It is time." Fear doesn't get to veil the door for freedom and light. His glory IS more important than my reputation, so be encouraged all of you out there wearing scarlet letters of your own. Your ugly, even at your own hands, doesn't have to be your skeleton in the closet if it shines the power of your Redeemer. He does, afterall, command dry bones to rise.
I've hinted to it already, so I'll go first:
Wow #2...
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