Live Lovely

Sin has gripped humanity where outburst of rage and verbal abuse is the norm. There is a decline in the dignity that a human being holds to not live off of emotions and the heat of the moment. Life is consumed by comparison of one’s life versus another. Usually that other comes from tabloids, magazines and gossip television shows boasting of extravagant, self-indulgent lifestyles. In the abundance of excess, where is the heart refreshed? Where is the soul exhilarated? Where is the mind set on things above? Momentary, passing pleasures don’t satisfy. They seem inviting, a solution to the ache of excitement yet increases the longing for more. It’s a hole that doesn’t seem to be filled. A missing piece of an intricate, complex puzzle.


I’ve found the remedy.

Listen. Incline your ear to the rhythm of running. His name is Jealous Jealousy, He’s an all-consuming fire and He won’t stop pursuing His beloved ones who have strayed. No longer will He allow His bride to run after other lovers. The first commandment must return to first place.

Idol worship doesn’t exist just because this is the 21st century. Look at the monuments built to food; our god is in our belly. Consume, devour and supersize. A constant dulling of the spirit, consistent scrambling to satisfy. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5.6) Hunger, longing, fasting, praying, devotion, seeking for more. The bride is obese, no pangs of hunger found in her. She has indulged herself far beyond recognition. It’s time to fast, Church. It’s time to mourn. It’s time to be poor in spirit. It’s time to come face to face with the depravity of human vigor and strength. Oh our frame is but dust yet pride mitigates the true nature of our being.

What about the temples built to our bodies? Millions of dollars spent on clothes. Extra clothes to fill closets to the brim. Hours upon hours wasted wandering up and down streets and through malls lusting over garments to that make us feel better about ourselves because clearly there isn’t enough. There’s never enough. We want more, more, more. Filling and numbing and searching. It’s not a hobby, it’s not a fun pastime, it’s an obsession. It’s an addiction where we’ll even watch shows about it. It’s a waste of precious time. Are we asking the Lord what He thinks about the hours wasted? Are we sensitive to the Spirit on hundreds of dollars being spent?

How will the cry, “Marantha!” ever go out if the bride is perfectly content with weak prayer, prosperity messages, another round of grace for everyone and a completely culture dictated lifestyle? I thought this world wasn’t our home. Aren’t we pilgrims, sojourners passing through on our way to Zion? Why is the bride completely unrecognized in the eyes of society? Kindness is great to show to our neighbors, but why isn’t Jesus preached? Why does it all have to be so anonymous and inoffensive? If it’s not Jesus, it’s not justice.

There’s only one way, one truth, one life, one door to the Father and that’s through Jesus. Not Buddha, not Mohammad, not the Virgin Mary, not good deeds alone. It’s Jesus. He’s the only way to God. We need a right perspective of this Man.

He’s the very nature of the zealous Father of lights who loves to give good gifts to His children. Jesus needs to have preeminence once more. Christ and Christ alone preached in the churches and sung in our worship. It only comes from time in the secret place, tucked away from the eyes of man. It comes in the mundane life of an obedient lover who’s yes is weak and small, but it’s so sincere and moves the heart of God. To linger in the presence of the Lover of the soul should be the best part of the day. We should pant for this time with Him like a deer pants for water. It’s in the Word that we find refreshment, it needs to be our getaway. Sunday morning shouldn’t be the only time in communion with Jesus. Before meals and tests can’t be the only time to pray to the Creator of all.

Eternal glory rests upon this life. Proximity to Jesus forever is determined by this age. Do we truly mourn for Him? Are we truly undone by the fact that Jesus isn’t walking in the midst of us ruling and reigning in righteousness? If Jesus wasn’t in Heaven, would we even be bothered by that?

It’s about Jesus. He’s the very picture of the nature of God. And He is also the very picture of humanity’s image to God. Once saved, we’re clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It’s time to put on our heavenly garments and live lovely. To know we’re enjoyed by God, to know we aren’t condemned by God because of past failures. We repent, move on and delight in the Father delighting in us. For we are the prize of all creation, the joy set before Jesus to endure the pain of the cross. It’s time to live lovely, out of the overflow of being alive to God and dead to sin.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) Live lovely and all else will fall in line.