Living The Dream - Girlfriends in God - March 28, 2014

March 28, 2014
Living The Dream
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Friend to Friend

As I walked into the pink and purple bedroom to tuck in my little rosebud, she sat up in bed and began braiding her hair. She had been waiting for me. News was bubbling in her heart that she simply had to share.

Through twists of hair, she began, “Mom! I know what I want to be when I grow up!”

“Well, tell me, Kennedy!” I replied, completely smitten with her 8-year-old enthusiasm.

“I want to be a beautritionist!” She gushed.

“A beautritionist?” I questioned, both amused and enamored.

“Yes, mom! I want to be a beautritionist!”

“That completely rocks, girlfriend! I’m so excited for you! Do you mean that you want to do hair and makeup and help ladies look beautiful?”

“Yes!” She confirmed excitedly.

“Excellent!” I replied. “I think the word you meant to use was beautician, but I love the word you made up! The reason I love it is this: you combined two words, beautician and nutritionist. A beautician helps people to look beautiful on the outside by fixing hair and make up. A nutritionist helps people to be healthy and well on the inside. So, your new word is incredible because a beautritionist would help others to be healthy on the inside and beautiful on the outside! Yay! Fun! I want to be a beautritionist too, Kennedy!”

We giggled as I tucked her in – snug as a bug in a rug – and prayed for the Lord to help us be the women He created us to be… inside and outside.

Later that evening I journaled the exchange so I wouldn’t forget it. As I was writing, it occurred to me that what Kennedy was really telling me upstairs was that she had big dreams in her little heart. She was telling me that she wanted to make a positive impact on others and have a life filled with beauty.

She wanted what we all want.

We all want a great life.

And guess what? That’s God’s plan for us too.

God wants us to have an amazing, beautiful life – in Him, through Him, and for Him. Truly. The Bible tells us so. He offers us joy – but not the world’s joy; peace – but not the world’s peace; power – but not the world’s power; love – but not the world’s love. His plan is a good plan… for us, not against us… a plan that is filled with hope and a future.

Just like God spoke hope to the prophet Jeremiah thousands of years ago, His Word speaks hope to us today, and every day, reminding us of the beauty available to all in Christ. A beauty that ultimately brings Him glory.

In Christ, you are saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

In Christ, you are forgiven and made righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

In Christ, you are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In Christ, there is no condemnation. (Romans 8:1)

In Christ, you are justified and have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)

In Christ, you are his workmanship - created to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

In Christ, you are chosen and made holy to proclaim his excellency. (1 Peter 2:9)

In Christ, you are a child of God. (John 1:12)

In Christ, you are a fruit bearer. (John 15:5)

In Christ, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:22)

In Christ, you are to be his witness to the world. (Acts 1:8)

In Christ, you are given a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

In Christ, you are equipped to live out his Word. (James 1:22)

In Christ, you can choose peace over anxiety. (Philippians 4:6)

In Christ, you can boldly approach God in prayer knowing He hears. (1 John 5:14-15)

In Christ, you can be content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in want – and do all things. (Philippians 4:12-14)

In Christ, you are an overcomer. (1 John 4:4)

Hear me, friend: this isn’t some fluffy, rah-rah Christian pep rally. I know many of you are going through difficult and painful challenges. Life throws curve balls that can leave us gasping for breath on any given day – at any given moment. I’m right there with you in the trenches of reality. God’s ways do not always make sense, but one thing is always true: the great life He intends for us to live begins and ends with Jesus. And though we remain broken and impacted by an imperfect world, we can rise above and get through anything in the power and hope of God, for His glory. (Yes. I’m talking to you.)

Ready to be a beautritionist?

Ready to live the dream?

Walk today in close communion with Christ. Seek Him. Savor Him. Confess when you transgress. Align your heart to His will. Obey Him. Love Him… then, no matter what you are going through, watch the LORD do a beautiful thing in and through you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I really want to get this! Help me to trust Your ways even when I don’t understand them. Help me to believe that Your words of hope are for me, so that You can be glorified in my life. Help me to be radiant and well on both the inside and outside. I’m ready to live the dream.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Journal! Think about and write down your dreams/hopes. Do you even have any? How would your life look differently if you moved in the direction of becoming a beautricianist?

What could you do today to impact the life of a friend with beauty, wellness and hope? (Get on that!)

Finally, are you ready to live the dream? Determine in your heart, pray it through and then tell me all about it on my blog or my Facebook page. I really, really, really love hearing from you! If you don’t want to go into details, simply leave a comment saying, “I’m ready to live the dream!”

More from the Girlfriends

Are you struggling to trust that God’s love can bring beauty to your life?Learn how God wants to bring you beyond your past heart-wounds and your present challenges to His wholeness, strength and beauty. Broken into Beautiful is a book filled with stories – real stories … gritty and honest, not cleaned up and phony. It’s also filled with Scripture that will inspire you toward the life-changing grace of Jesus. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit our webstore.

Gwen’s website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. Visit: www.GwenSmith.net. (Get a FREE song download when you sign up for her newsletter!)

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Click here to learn more about hosting a Girlfriends in God conference in your area or having one of the GiGs speak at your next women's event.

Originally published Friday, 28 March 2014.

SHARE