Called To Excellence

CHICKEN LEGS & BIG LIPS

Kids can be very cruel! Do you remember how mean some kids were when you were growing up? If you had really skinny legs, you may have been called "chicken legs". Some of us with full lips were called "big lips". How about "blackie", "redbone", and "bald-head"? These are just a few of the labels that we were given many moons ago. I remember being called "smut face" while riding the school bus. This was a term used for someone who had a dark-complexion. Amazingly, the sting of that harsh comment didn't get a chance to stick to me very long. See my parents (in particular my mama), constantly encouraged me by telling me how beautiful, talented and exceptional I was. So when I heard that mean boy on the school bus say what he said, I thought he was crazy, because obviously he didn't confer with my mama first!

Unfortunately though, many of us are STILL holding on to these labels. We have allowed some very damaging mental tapes to continue to play in our minds. As a result, some of the comments that we have kept alive in our memory banks, have helped to shape our choices (sometimes bad ones) regarding the people that we have allowed into our life. Some of us have compared ourselves to our girlfriends, wondering why we weren't more "like them". Some have gotten into terrible relationships as a result. (No one should be abusing you physically, mentally, or psychologically!) And even others have allowed the old tapes to hold them back professionally and educationally because their self-confidence was lacking.

It may not seem glamorous, but I've discovered that God values a clean heart and a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10) What must be cultivated in order to live a life of "excellence", is to focus on your inner qualities. The Lord likes you "just the way you are". You are special to Him. In fact, Psalm 139:14 states that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made in His image". (paraphrased). Who cares what Hollywood says? Trust me, when the Hollywood stars go home, they take off their hair, nails, lashes, spanks, and tons of make-up, and they look JUST LIKE US! So, promise me that this week, you will determine to celebrate who God has made you to be, even with your "chicken legs". Agape! Minister T

I NEED A WORD - Devotional

I Samuel 16:7 - "…for God sees not as man see, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart". (NASB)

Have you allowed society to define how you should look? Are you constantly trying to fit into a mold that is not your "shape"? My mama used to say, "looks can be deceiving", meaning that you can't judge things or people based on outward appearances. I'm so glad that no matter how much we try to cover up or conform, God is able to see our heart. You are unique in your own way. So, commit to focus on matters of the heart. That's what gets the attention of God.