Category: Melissa’s Posts

Melissa's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Princesses, Problems, and Perfection

UYM

godseyes

Written By: Melissa Longval

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

I blame Disney.  I blame Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.  Princess perfection.  Lovely voices, animal taming personalities, and tiny feet.  This clod hopper didn’t measure up.  As a size 10, jokes about throwing away shoes and just wearing the boxes were common!  Yeah, yeah, I get it…I don’t even need to wear skis…cause my feet are so big!

Along with big feet came other large things that I wished were smaller, hair that I wish were curlier and bigger (it was the 80’s after all), skin that was clearer.  The list was endless.  The quest to be beautifully perfect haunted me for a long time.  I know I wasn’t alone.

The desire to be perfect doesn’t stop after high school.  In fact, once I became a mother, I had a whole new idea of perfection.  Being the perfect mom with the perfect child.  Breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food…again the list is long.

We don’t have to look far to see this idea of perfection invades our culture and most cultures around the world.  As a Christian, I know perfection is not attainable here.  And yet, the wrestling continues.

My thoughts are that the idea of perfection, flawlessness, comes from the Lord.  He is perfect.  His laws, statutes, and ways are perfect.  Everything about Him is perfect, yet we have perverted this perfection to fulfill desires of the flesh.

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

But, perfection is only attainable through the righteousness of Christ.  My imperfections, my weak and broken places are where Christ’s strength is found.

“For where I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12: 10

Chasing after perfection, as a goal in and of itself, is like chasing the wind.  I will never catch it.  When I am willing to let go of the idea of perfection, I can hold on to the beautiful plan God has for me.  And, I don’t have to rush around for Him, because He is always with me.  What a Savior!

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  Philippians 3:12

Christ has given me His perfection…His righteousness…His holiness.  Best of all, I do not have to horde it and keep it to myself, but the more I give it away, the more I receive.  The more I allow people to see the imperfections, the wrinkles, and age spots, the more freedom I have to love others the way Christ loves me…with abandon!

And as we walk this journey on this small planet, knowing where we are headed, following our perfect Lord and Savior, may we all live happily ever after…

Until Next Time,
Melissa

Melissa's Posts, {Worth}

{Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 2

UYM

worthy2

Written By: Melissa Longval

Rahab had determined to hide the Hebrew spies and keep her end of the bargain…this promise that would save her and her family from the coming destruction by the army of Israel.  I love that God uses the least of these to accomplish great things.  A woman…a prostitute…an adulteress.  Shocking!

But the very things that label and trap us can be used for good.  In Joshua 2, we learn that the king of Jericho had discovered that the men of Israel had come to search out the land.  He inquired of Rahab.  The two spies held their breath as she wove her tale.  The soldiers listened to her.  They believed her, and pursued the spies where Rahab had suggested.  I can only imagine why the king would know her so well.  Perhaps she was good at her job and had the king in her good graces.

Let’s be real…she knew men.  She had to.  Rahab served and catered to men.  The very label that tried to define her was turned, to be used for her good and God’s glory.  She feared the Lord God of Israel, as we discussed last time, and decided to take a risk on Him.  We call that faith.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The very labels that threaten to strangle and pull us down can be used for noble causes.  Whether these labels are warranted or not, God is big enough to turn our ashes to beauty.  He can take something defiled and make it clean.  He brings life to what was dead.  He is God after all.  Rahab understood this and acted upon it.  Perhaps ignorance is bliss…maybe she didn’t know how much prostitutes were looked down upon.  More likely, though, she knew…we all know and carry shame from past choices.

Sweet friends, may I ask you to dig deep…to really believe that the very thing, the very label you are trying to remove or run from could be what God will use for good.  Will you take the risk and believe God can take what made you “dirty” and small and use it for good, glory, and beauty?  All the lessons learned…the empathy you feel for others in similar situations, your perspective is of great value in God’s kingdom.  There are many who need to hear your story, because maybe, they share the same label.

We are not passive in this game of life.  Like Rahab, we have a choice in the midst of our biggest battles – to melt in fear or march forward on God’s side.  We can choose to let past choices direct our future or choose to let God use our past for good.  We can choose to wear our labels and let them define us, or we can learn all we can from them and use those lessons to bless others.

“Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.”  Joshua 4: 17

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1: 4

What will you choose?

Until next time,
Melissa

Melissa's Posts, Uncategorized, worth

{Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 1

UYM

Written By: Melissa Longval

Worthy

Of all the amazing things that happened to the Israelites during their advancement into the Promised Land, it is in the woman, Rahab, that I see the greatest miracle.  This woman, known for her profession and reputation, saved not only the lives of the two Hebrew spies, but she also saved her entire family from the advancing army of God’s people.

Joshua, Moses’ successor, had sent out two spies to view the lay of the land.  Joshua understood the importance of a good report, so these spies must have been trustworthy with strong integrity.  As they made their way into the walled city of Jericho, they stopped at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

Ugh…imagine if your mistakes, bad choices, or faults determined your worth.  Oh yeah, for most of us, they do.  Rahab, the prostitute.  Hmmm…what would I be? Melissa, the liar.  Or perhaps, Melissa, the two-faced.  What about you?

Do you let these labels determine your worth?  I would love to say that I do NOT, but that would be a lie.  How often do these labels try to reclaim me when I am weak, lonely or stressed?  I know I am not alone.  So many people that I love and treasure have such a hard time remembering their worth.

Perhaps this is why I love the story of Rahab.  She determined to save herself and her family.  As the rest of Jericho cowered with their hearts melting in fear, this woman understood the One whom she should fear – the Lord God of Israel!

And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death. Joshua 2: 11-13

This woman did not let her occupation, reputation, or situation deter her from her purpose.  I certainly don’t know the details of her life, but I imagine labels stuck to her as they do to us today.  Rahab recognized the One true God and determined to meet Him.  Her pagan culture had failed in the presence of Yahweh and His people.  This gentile woman recognized the source of true power and might; the One in whose image she and her family were made, and bargained for their lives.

Sweet friends, do you recognize the source of your worth?  Do you understand where true power and your identity are found?

Join me next time as we dig deeper into this beautiful story of redemption, salvation, and worth.

Until next time,
~Melissa