Saturday, April 21, 2007

Get REAL!

The following is a devotion I read a few weeks ago in "The Word For You Today". It was so good I haven't been able to get it out of my mind so am posting it for all of you to enjoy.

"Make a careful exploration of who you are...then sink yourself into that."
Galatians 6:4 The Message
Are you living as God intended, or are you struggling to live up to other people's expectations? What would happen if you just dropped your mask and got real?
The story of The Velveteen Rabbit has a timeless message for each of us. In a conversation between a new toy rabbit and an old skin horse,
Rabbit asks, "What's real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick out handle?"
"Real isn't how you're made," replied Horse.
"It's a thing that happens to you when a child really loves you."
"Does it hurt?" asked Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said Horse. "But when you're real you don't mind."
"Does it happen all at once?" he asked.
"It doesn't" said Horse.
"It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept.
Generally by the time you're real most of your hair has been loved off, your eyes drop out, you get loose in the joints and very flabby.
But these things don't matter because once you're real you can't be ugly,
except to people who don't understand."
King David said. "You made my whole being....in an amazing...way"
(Psalms 139:13-14 NCV)
Becoming real means accepting yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, acknowledging that in God's eyes you're a work-in-progress.
Paul writes: "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed...parts...let's...go ahead and be what we were made to be"
(Romans 12:4-6 The Message)
Then he adds: Sink yourself into that,"
and God will take you places you never imagined.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a constant thing in my life to find "real". Whenever I think I've found that place the scared child in me comes out and I find a safe place to hide and shelter myself so others won't see all of my broken pieces.

I am so thankful for my Savior who mends the broken and cut areas of my inadequate self. I am nothing without Him.

Candy said...

So true. Excellent post.

Hugs,
Candy

jazzycat said...

Good thoughts......

TO BECOME said...

That is something to give a lot of thought about and then think about all the real things in my life and thank God for each of them. Thanks. connie from texas

Momma Roar said...

"Becoming real means accepting yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, acknowledging that in God's eyes you're a work-in-progress."

I am, and always will be, a work in progress! :)

Pen of Jen said...

Wonderful, wonderful post. I am a huge fan o the Velveteen Rabbit, and your post brought it full circle!
Have a wonderful day!!!

Unknown said...

This made me think of the children's song: "He's still workin' on me, To make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a day to make the moon and the stars, ....He's still workin' on me."
Thanks for the great post! Have a special Lord's day!

Susan said...

Oh Susan, I so needed to read this today. God is dealing with me with some things that I haven't written about yet...thank YOU for posting this. It was a blessing.

Also, thank you for your prayers. They are so much appreciated.
:-) Susan

groovyoldlady said...

The past few years have a time where I've been finally coming to terms with who God made me to be. It's so freeing!

Lori said...

I agree with Leigh Ann. This post is so true of myself. I am and always will be a work in progress.
Thanks for sharing.

Florinn said...

I decided to become real a few months ago and its been very freeing. Nice post.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I no longer live to please others. oh yes I do like to please my hubby but that is different. I have suffered trauma in my life that has left me physically and emotionally scared but I am happy in my life! Christ has so richly blessed me and now my focus is on Him and what I should be. The world? Well, i live in it but am not of it!

marallyn ben moshe said...

another wonderful post penless...thanks so much for sharing and for dropping in and taking time to comfort me and mine...it means/meant a lot...shalom...stay safe...love, marallyn

Susie said...

I love this kind of post. It today's society when so many are reaching to achieve the unreachable, how fitting to hear the words "be who we are made to be". Great devotion to use such a beloved childhood story we all remember.

roffe said...

Hello Susan, I've been to this mountain "Besseggen" last year. Very marvellous hike.

Portrait of Peter said...

A true portrayal that I hope to aspire to.

Blessings this Sunday.

Jill said...

Oh how I love the Velveteen Rabbit. One of my favorite books of all time. Thanks for sharing this great lesson with us.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Great devotional! I love "The Velveteen Rabbit" and just gave copies to our two grandbabies for Easter. So glad I found your blog!

Katherine

Batya said...

According to the Jewish "Ethics of the Fathers," "A rich person is one who is satisfied with his portion."

donsands said...

Nice read.

CS Lewis said that we are either becoming more and more like ourselves, or we are becoming more and more like the image of Christ.

Have a blessed day.

Jen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I will check in often my new found friend. Have a great day!

michelle said...

Love that phrase.."go ahead and be who we were made to be"!

We've been given the authority we just need to make the decision!

Good stuff.

Steffi said...

It´s true and a really good post!
Have a nice day!

Greetings,Steffi