The Unlikely Missionary

There are too many Pharisees in today's American church. If you don't know what a Pharisees is let me explain... PHAR'ISEE, n. Heb. to separate. One of a sect among the Jews, whose religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders,and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews. In today's world that would be a self-righteous person. See here  for a history of their exploits. Before there was the church as we know it there were Jews and there were Gentiles. In case you are wondering, unless you have Jewish heritage we all qualify as Gentiles. The Pharisees were what we would consider modern day religious folks that think they are above it all. They were very law focused and intent and content to tell you all of the things you were doing wrong and in some cases using that guilt trip for personal gain. Hmmmmm. Sound familiar in pre...

I like how we say we love ourselves then we snip and tuck and poke and pinch and nip and sow and glue and suck and inject everything and the kitchen sink onto or into or out of ourselves to make us a better us. But how do we measure better? When we measure ourselves against what the world deems beautiful or acceptable we will always fall short. I know I definitely do. My hair isn't always done, my outfits aren't always fly. I'm skinny but I can't say that my body looks like Naomi Campbell's or Eva Pigford's. My skin ain't flawless, my thighs jiggle and sometimes I thoroughly enjoy just being bummy and not caring a lick. I was always unhappy with the way I looked cuz I never measured up until... I looked at myself through a new lens. Through the lens of  my Creator. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Created loving and planned for by the same man who fashioned the stars and carved out the oceans. I am important and I matter because I am important and ...