It may be very tempting to totally focus our energies on making ourselves over.

[ Today’s post is Part 2 of the series:  Living a Life of Love.Be sure to check out Part 1: The Scent of Being Loved, when you get a chance. ]

Before the weekend crashed in on the work week, the news was out.  Was Kelly Clarkson, first American Idol winner, Photoshopped on the latest Self Magazine cover? The blogosphere was a buzzin’ all over the latest celebrity feeding frenzy.

What’s the big deal anyways? Celebrities have been air brushed since Hollywood’s Golden Age with the Greta Garbos illuminating light and perfection, as if coming straight from heaven themselves.

What touched off an outrage with Kelly’s shot, however, was that the allegedly altered pic was placed on the cover of Self’s September “Total Body Confidence” issue.

As a response to the controversy, the editor-in-chief countered, “Our picture shows her confidence and beauty.”  What? Are you saying that she’s so happy with herself, she couldn’t help, but digitally alter her looks.  Uh.  Okay.  Whatever you say.

“Did you throw a stone over at her, Miss Bonnie?”  Jesus seemed to pipe in.

“Yes,” I admitted. Well.. it wasn’t the first stone.

Oops. He heard that.

“Well, you may not be trying to digitally edit your looks. But, I’m talking about what’s inside. You know, that’s what I usually look at.”

Uh-oh.

Well, there you have it.  I’m guilty of trying to retouch my life.

God’s Undo Button

Whenever this happens, I end up with a really weird Photoshopped version of myself.  Not good.

Good thing God has an “Undo” button, so I can get back to the real me.

In fact, rather than smoothing the rough edges over and wishing away my imperfections, God invites me to come and have a drink of His love.

Be loved, Bonnie.  As you are.

I don’t know how, Lord.

With that unspoken prayer, God begins His work.

He opens my heart, pours His love in.  I drink.  Sometimes from a fire hose, drenched from head to toe. Most other times, His love is a deep, quiet current, running down along my roots.

God’s love may go unnoticed, until I realize that I can laugh.  I can cry.  And I can be real.

If you’re thirsty for a make-over, drink deeply of His love.

“.. that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love... to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled upto all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-21

Re-making ourselves is not the point of living.  Jesus came to free us from that burden. He gave us a new life, that He’s faithful to renew from deep within.

Unlike others who Photoshop to reflect their confidence, Jesus gave up His body and hung it on a cross.

Now, that is Total Body Confidence.

So, what are your thoughts on retouching life?  A little crop out here or a little smooth over there?

Be sure to catch the next Bible Espresso Series.
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