Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Acceptance (01/12/04)
TITLE: Black Market Favor By L.M. Lee 01/19/04 |
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For years I tried all kinds of things. The worst trap I fell into was trying to be perfect find acceptance.
I was buying acceptance on the Black Market.
It amazes me now how deceived I was by our enemy, Satan. He controlled my entire life. He set limits on my behavior. He manipulated my relationships. He robbed me of the joy of my life.
All because, like Eve, I bought a lie. The lie that said, "If you'll be perfect people will accept you."
And then one day, after 30 years of trying to be the perfect Christian mother, friend, employee and church member... I got set free!
It wasn't a big moment with trumpet blasts, goosebumps and angelic choirs providing background music. It was in that still quiet time I set aside.
One day Jesus whispered, and I actually listened... "you are accepted in the Beloved."
I am accepted in Him.
I have the mark of His favor in my life.
I no longer have to try to be perfect to find the acceptance I want.
Did it change my circumstances?
No.
But what changed is me. That's what really matters.
I've heard the term, "Exchanged Life" for years. But this year, I accepted, really accepted it for me.
This year I realized at the Cross, Jesus exchanged my sin, my shame, my guilt, my weaknesses, my prejudices, my anger, my hate and all the other ugliness of my life.
He took what I could never be...and gave me what He is.
In Him, I am sinless, pure, innocent, strong, free, peaceful, loving and beautiful.
At the Cross, we cross over into true acceptance.
We always have two choices in life. We can come by things honestly, or we can buy the counterfiet on the Black Market. After years of trading my life away on the Black Market...I'm finally get the real deal, and it is free!
(c) 1/18/04 Lissa M. Lee