𝒯𝑜𝓅𝒾𝒸: "Pimple Faced"

𝒯𝓊𝑒𝓈𝒹𝒶𝓎'𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇: 𝟣/𝟣𝟤/𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟣

𝒮𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒: Psalm 139:14 / Mathew 23:12

𝒯𝑜𝓅𝒾𝒸:"Pimple Faced"

𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑀𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒴𝑜𝓊,

This morning's inspiration comes from a praise and worship song by gospel artist, Jonathan McReynolds, titled "Lovin Me". Since about the age of fourteen, I have spent every morning listening to praise and worship music to allow my spirit to connect with the Spirit of God, for direct intimacy with Him. I find my soul most vulnerable when I sing praises to God. And during this morning's worship, I was listening to this beautifully written song. Though I've listened to this song many times, today, there was a shift in how I received it.

If I can just take a small except of the song lyrics, I would share these particular verses with you... "Now, I know there were days I looked at myself

I felt like less of a person compared to everyone else

What about this flaw, too big, too small, can I exchange?

And trying to make-up for where I fell short, I let sense slip away"

"And though I know I don't have everything that it takes

You keep lovin' me (lovin' me)

And regardless of every mistake that I make, You keep lovin' me

And it probably don't matter what I do or say, You keep lovin' me

And even with the pimples on my face, you keep lovin' me"

In this song, the songwriter acknowledges how we serve a loving God with him knowing every imperfect detail about us. The above referenced scripture comes from Psalm 139:14 which reads, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well". There is just something about a God who loves me at my worst. There is something about a God who can uniquely mold me to a likeness of His image with the correct amount of flaws just for me. There is something about a God who sees all of my mistakes, all of my pain, all of my history and all of me, and still love me. Who else can love you like that without conditions? If most people saw each of our character flaws, they would quickly run in another direction.

For years I struggled with my flaws and imperfections in comparison to others. My first mistake was the “comparison” piece and not understanding and accepting my own identity. If I may include for you my own personal imperfections they would look like: clumsiness, teenage and adult acne, goofy laughs, a less than desirable listener, obsessive compulsive tendencies, over-thinker, flat chested, etc. The list goes on and on. You get it right?

The point is that we all struggle with personal insecurities. My question is, if we had no one to compare ourselves to at all, would we see them as flaws? It took me years to come into acceptance of my own genetic make up and my spiritual DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) that God specifically intended for “Monica” to have. And honestly, I believe the more we see and understand our flaws and identities, the more humble we are.

There is another key part to this message. Let’s look at Mathew 23:12. It says, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”. Jesus is explaining to his Disciples that pride and arrogance is the beginning of a fall for man. Flaws remind us that we are not better than anyone else and that each of us have personal indiscretions we face on our daily journey. As Christians in 2021, I encourage each of us to not think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less. If that makes sense.

I am so happy that God has placed cues around each of us to consistently humble us. Despite what you, or I see as flaws, you were fearfully and wonderfully made on purpose. You are not too skinny, too fat, too tall, or too short, too curvy, or too tomboyish. You’re you, with purpose.

I want you to know where we fail, we have Jesus to pick us up. Where we struggle with mistakes and insecurities, Jesus is here to fill the void. Read Romans 8:29. The scripture reads, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers”. So guess what? God designed you before you were ever a thought to your parents. He knew you before your conception.

Father in the name of Jesus, we thank You God for uniquely crafting and molding us into the men and women we are today. Thank You God for continuously humbling us. Father God I pray that through acknowledging and exposing my own flaws, it will help others to discover and accept their unique and individual distinctiveness. Father God I pray over the reader whose struggling with identity crisis. In Jesus name they will not be confused any longer or in denial of who you created them to be.

Father God I rebuke the spirit of confusion, depression, and low self-esteem. Father I pray for the person who think they are not good enough because of their "limitations". Father God show them that what they think are limitations are actually human labels. Father God use someone to minister to them in their life today to reassure them that they are above enough. Father God your Word says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Father God I pray supernatural acceptance and peace over each reader today and that You receive all the glory, praise, and honor.

It’s in Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒,

𝐿𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝑀𝑜𝓃𝒾𝒸𝒶