Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…
Ephesians 6:14
So.
This month's ministry is taking us to the bars, where we're talking to girls who have bought into the lies that they're not worth much.
Lies.
They're so easy to point out in other people, and yet so hard to see in ourselves.
Like the prostitute who thinks she's only as good as her body.
Like the man who think his worth is dependant on his job title.
Like the beautiful woman who only sees a beached whale in the mirror.
Like the guy who sees himself as dirty and unlcean because he made a mistake.
Like the girl who thinks no one will ever love her because she's too much of this, not enough of that.
Where do we come up with all of these LIES?
I buy into them, too.
Sometimes wholeheartedly.
The belt of TRUTH is the first piece in the armor of God.
Maybe that's because the Lord knew that until we see ourselves the way He sees us, we can't see others the way He created them to be seen.
Maybe we need to stop picking out our flaws and focus instead on the One who washed our sins away- past, present and future.
Maybe when we stop obsessing over our shortcomings, we can start using our strengths to actually help people.
My lie of the weekend?
That I'm a waste.
That my life doesn't matter, won't be a help, isn't making any difference.
Get behind me, Satan.
True to dramatic, Natalie Dache form, I decided to come home (better be a bump on a log on my couch than overseas, right?), then sent messages to let my friends know.
And they pelted me with exactly what I needed: TRUTH.
They reminded me that I'm not a waste, that what I'm doing DOES matter… even if I don't see it.
Do you realize that Jesus fed 5,000 with one little boys’ lunch? You have given more than one days’ lunch. Do not give up hope that God is going to do far more amazing things with it than you now see. These are far reaching seeds that you are planting.
Sounds so easy to believe, but sometimes we need that reminder.
Because sometimes the lies get in, and everything falls apart.
Just like when you lose your belt, and your pants fall down.
How tightly is your belt of truth fastened?
Are there any lies threatening to bust in and steal your dignity?
I've never met anyone who does much good when her pants are down.
I definitely don't.
That's why it's so important to make absolutely sure I'm surrounded with the truth, and with people who will feed it to me (even if it's a force feeding).
Tighten up that belt.
The battle's raging- there's no time to waste running in circles without pants.
PS for the record, I will not be coming home early.
Thanks for everyone who gave me truth (and the ones who told me to suck it up, soldier).
I'll see you in December. 🙂
