BEAUTIFIED BY GOD

BEAUTIFIED BY GOD

We were purposefully created in the image and likeness of a marvelous and majestic God.  Throughout our lives, we are continually touched and transformed by His grace and mercy – as long as we willingly surrender to the restoring power of His redemptive love.  Although there are moments when we appear to be ‘ugly’ and radically different in character than the Creator’s original design, our God has a definite plan and process.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

In many ways, we have profound similarities to the scarab beetle.  While most people find beetles and bugs to be somewhat creepy, the jewel scarab could turn you into a beetle lover.  They live in the jungles of Honduras and their colors are so amazing that they have great value and sell for up to $500 each.  Scarabs are colorfully adorned in flaming red, radiant gold and bright silver that resembles a luminous chrome.  Even beetle haters find jewel scarabs to be absolutely dazzling and beautiful!

But their origins are radically different from their latter lives.  To be sure, the jewel scarab’s beauty does not come automatically.  They have rather modest, even ugly beginnings – emerging as soft, mushy, grey-white grubs growing inside rotting tree stumps.  They remain in place for a year or so.  During the rainy season, the adult scarabs emerge from their trees, with that soft body and pale appearance.  However, within hours their bodies harden and their splendid colors start to show.  Jewel scarabs only live for another three months or so, but what a glorious and magnificent existence.  They are among God’s most attractive creations!

People are just like scarabs.  There are moments when we may not feel (or appear to be) very beautiful and attractive.  I’m not referring to our bodies, but our minds, our characters, our thoughts, our emotions and our decisions.  Nevertheless, if we are willing to submit to the ongoing creative process of God, with time, effort, and submission we emerge as beautiful, dazzling, shining creatures, gloriously bearing the spiritual image of our Creator.

It’s a process.   It’s a process.  It’s a process.

So hang in there while the Divine Architect completes His work in you and in your family.  This reminds me of my life-verse, which is Philippians 1:6. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!