Don’t Let Them Discount You

“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36 – 39

Seeing ourselves through someone else’s eyes is often a difficult proposition. We really do not know what others are thinking nor how they perceive or receive us. Usually, we are left wondering, and possibly concerned, about what someone else thinks of us.

As human beings, we have learned some tricks to help us manipulate what a person thinks of us. We’ve learned to keep our guards up at all times and not let anyone get too close, because they may just see the pain or notice an imperfection those past rejections and hurts have left in our lives.

We have learned to dress just right and from the right stores, because people usually will not look past the obvious. We go to the right restaurants, special events, and to church so that people would never believe we are fighting loneliness and depression on every side.

As women, we have learned to put on our make-up just so, and to make sure our hair and nails are done, so that the outward façade always looks intact and without cracks. That way, no one would have any reason to think we are living with broken hearts.

We wear fake smiles to hide our tears and use our credit and annual salaries in an attempt to cover the symptoms of anger, worry, anxiety, and mental and emotional pain. We have become con artists. Some of us have become so good at conning others about who we really are, that we have even convinced ourselves that everything is okay.

But, there is one person who requires that we put down our guards, our barriers, our façades, and our falsehoods, and face Him broken and unashamed, because Jesus has already seen and He already knows the brokenness.

Jesus saw past the clothes on your back and the make-up on your face before you put them on. He looked beyond the word on your lips before they were formed. He went right to the significant part: the moment He laid His eyes on you and I. He went to our hearts because He already knows the cost of the oil in our jars.

Every crack and crevice that has been left in our lives was by God’s design. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

All things – good things, bad things, major and insufficient things that happen in our lives are all by God’s design for us. Do not give anyone else permission to make you feel less than adequate. You were adequate enough for God to come to earth and die on a cross just to save your soul. Do not allow anyone else to make you feel as if you’re not good enough.

The design God has for your life may have included drug addiction. Own up to it and give God the glory for getting you out of it. The purpose God has for your life may have included divorce or children out of wedlock or maybe spousal abuse. No matter what God’s plan is for your life, hold your head high and know it was all a part of God’s master plan for you.

Just like the woman who anointed Jesus, do not be afraid to run to Him with the most costly things you have: your praise and your thanks–your praise for His goodness and your thanks for His plan for your life.

Others will try to discount you and tell you that you’re not good enough. You are good enough for Jesus and that’s good enough.

“Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” Proverbs 14:22

Grace and peace,

First Lady Anita Wamble