Living Beneath the Layers

This week seems to have the same theme. Everywhere we go there seems to be a multitude of layers. From the layers of color, the layers of the silhouette of the mountains, to the layers of the clouds in the sky, we have seen layer after layer of God’s beautiful artwork. So, I woke up very early this morning and the first thing I thought about was all those beautiful layers we had the opportunity to view all week, but unfortunately not all layers are as beautiful, we have layers of pride, unforgiveness, greed and selfishness that I believe God wants to replace with layers of love, grace, mercy, hope, gratefulness and flood us with a peace that passes all understanding. So, today I began to pray that the Lord would begin the process of peeling back those layers in me and replenish them with all the attributes of who He desires to be in me. We all have and will always run into seasons where we are awakened with the knowledge that there are things in us that do not look appealing to other believers or non-believers, nor should it be appealing to us as believers. The key would be to stay continuously soaked in His word, to talk with Him and pray always. To be totally submerged in Christ would help us to look more like Him daily.

Peeling back those layers is the same is allowing yourself to die to the flesh and become alive in Christ, because it is no longer us, but Christ in us. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Looking more and more like your Father is so vital to the building up of one another, to inspire others. To inspire people, we must first be inspired and nothing inspires me more than experiencing the Love of God through His word and through others. God is utterly amazing and to think we have the rest of our lives to establish a deeply rich relationship with Him; one of many tears, laughter, joy, sorrow, hurt, pain, anguish, and always love.  I could not relate to God the Father a few years ago, because of the lack of a good physical father/daughter relationship.  However, now I can laugh with God.  He has such a great sense of humor.  Developing this relationship is intensely beautiful and like nothing else.  Now I am learning what pure agape love is and how to love others too including my physical and spiritual family.  I love how God is not a respecter of persons. We can always trust and believe that God will attend to each one of us perfectly!  He simply cannot make a mistake.  

Some of the lessons I have come to learn as the layers are peeled back was to reveal just what is truly in my heart of hearts on this journey that will transcend a lifetime. Do not allow day to day things to take over from the most important part of your spiritual journey.  Aim to achieve a balance, but always put God first. Mathew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. So, today I encourage you to allow God to begin peeling back those layers. It gives us a greater opportunity to seek Him, find Him and daily shine Him in all you do.