I had a crazy week and didn’t set aside the time I needed to write. Bad excuse, huh? Last week, I thought a lot about priorities. With a new baby on the way, I lean toward introspection. What is God’s plan for me as a mother? As a wife? As a daughter (both His and of my earthly parents)? As a friend or relative? As a REALTOR? The big question is: Who am I?
I attended a Bible Study last week with several wonderful women at a church different from my own. It was truly fabulous and got me out of my comfort zone. We watched a video study led by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. Priscilla was the featured speaker for this session and, boy, did she speak to me! She is probably my age and has three sons — of course I would relate to her. Here is the link to her monthly reflection for January. It is on her website but I’ve pasted the entire content below for you to enjoy: http://www.goingbeyond.com/box/box_jan09.asp
Divine Disguise
January 2009
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. – Romans 8:19
The commercial immediately captured my attention. A svelte woman, clothed in an eye-catching running outfit, was striding like a gazelle in and out of neighborhood streets. “Chariots of Fire” type music bellowed in the background. Her neatly coifed ponytail bounced in step with each of her pavement pounding strides, while a few stray hairs whipped against the current of the morning wind. The glisten on her forehead collected into a single bead of sweat that dramatically ran down her temple towards her chiseled jaw line. Her expression was penetrating. There was no smile and no menacing frown just the certain look of determination. She wasn’t gasping desperately for air as if this was her first jog in decades. She was a seasoned runner—powerful, strong, and sure of herself. Her feminine legs and arms were defined and brawny. Indeed, she was a sight to behold: lean, swift, athletic, and beautiful.
The eye catching commercial hadn’t been coupled with a lot of distracting verbiage. Only at the very end, just when you were on the edge of your seat waiting to see what this ad was all about, did a deep, tenor say with passion:
“There’s an athlete among us . . . disguised as a wife and a mother. Nike . . . just do it.”
My rubber glove clad hands that were plunged deep in soapy dishwater fell motionless. I felt something in me leap. I was a wife and mother and the image of this woman made me feel like there was potential in me that I hadn’t tapped into. The marketing team at the Nike Corporation had done its job. I was inspired. Suddenly the “Chariots of Fire” music was roaring in my own head. I saw the short staccato steps that marked my usual jog exchanged for a long lean gallop that would cause people to admire my athleticism. I’d have the same fierce determined expression of this gorgeous woman. My hair would bounce and forehead would glisten just as her’s had. I’d be muscular, defined and strong. I’d be able to run miles at a fast pace without gasping for air once. I’d no longer have to stop and walk to catch my breath—no, not me. I was an athlete who had just been disguised as a wife and a mother.
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Friend, you’ve been disguised. What’s your occupation? What do you do everyday? How do you define yourself?
Are you . . .
A wife
A mother
An executive
A manager
A single woman
A ministry director
A friend
A relative
This is not who you are. It’s your divine disguise.
You are a Christ-follower disguised as a _____________.
Fill in the blank.
All of creation is waiting for the Christ-follower in you to be revealed. Never let your daily activity veil the reality of your calling to manifest Christ to the world. Your colleagues, friends, relatives, spouse and children are sitting on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the unveiling of God’s daughters. They want to witness the power of God in us, be exposed to His Spirit operating through us, and experience His grace from us.
So, hear His love song ringing in your head and be inspired in this new year to come forth and be seen for who you truly are.
