Cover-girl?

I love makeup. I mean literally LOVE IT! It is one thing that got me through my last semester of nursing school. I would take breaks from studying and watch videos on YouTube of women doing their makeup. It honestly kept me sane. From that time to now I have found a true love for makeup and the artistry associated with applying it flawlessly. It takes true skill and practice. 

Makeup for some women is a saving grace when they have blemishes or scars. Makeup can truly transform a person. Outside but sometimes inside as well by boosting confidence.

Sometimes we use this same technique when it comes to our faith walk. We can pretty everything up when we are on social media. We can quote the best scriptures. Take pictures of our quiet time with Christ. Check in on Facebook at our various places of worship. We can make it seem as if our Christian walk is on point. We can appear FLAWLESS... On the outside our walk is BEAT. But what about our hearts?

I was having a conversation with a friend today about the movie "War Room" (awesome movie, might I add). We specifically focused on one particular part where one of the characters discussed being lukewarm. Now if you don't know what lukewarm is. It's straddling the fence. It's being dead in the middle. It's quoting scripture but cursing in the next breath. Watching porn while asking God to forgive you.   When you look at these different scenarios it's obvious that they just don't mesh. That's where the tug comes. What are you going to do?  Are you going to be hot or cold? Are you fully into Christ or fully out of Him?  Because there is not an in between.

2 Timothy 3:5... They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that "devotion" change the way they live. Stay away from these people. This word is literally saying the people that "makeup" their christian walk on the outside but never let it penetrate their heart we should stay away from.  God does not want us, people who are trying to further their walk, being influenced by those that don't know what they want to do. And more importantly He does not want a halfhearted individual "serving" Him but steadily loving the world. He does not care what's cool right now.  His concern is our full, devout love for Him.

Yes... I know it is a struggle. I know that it takes effort. I mean, I love Kanye, Drake, Kendrick Lamar... I would love to listen to their music daily. BUT one thing I have learned about me in this renewed spiritual walk... I can't. I know my limits. I know how it affects me. I know that my mindset changes. That might seem silly to some and for a long time I thought it was ridiculous. I had to put it in perspective though. I had to look at it through God's eyes. It's like he is fighting with those artist for attention. If I am letting those lyrics into my heart then it's pushing His words out. Nah... I'm good. Drake ain't gone be at the gates judging me. BUT that's just me!

I say this to tell you that we all struggle. We all have our vices. I don't really struggle with wanting to club and party, but some people do. Some people struggle with drinking entirely too much, others with cursing a lot. Whatever it may be, these things hold us back from fully giving our hearts to God. You may say, Brittany come on now. I still go to church. I still know God is good to me. I pray over my food and I pray sometimes when times when I realized how blessed I am. And that's great. BUT there is no way you can truly witness ( our sole purpose as a Christian) if you are cursing in every other word and quoting scripture a few minutes later. Who will truly take you seriously? No one. 

It is really easy when we stand in the pews at church and talk about how God good is. But is that truly in your heart... Or are you just fronting? Are you angry in your heart? Are you hurting in your heart? Are you just covering up those feelings with foundation? Are you concealing the scars of forgiveness, lies, deceit, pornography?  Are you praising God at church because your heart is truly full or are you doing it out of formality? And a better question are you praising God outside of church? Is He only getting you one day out the week? Is that all HE is worth?


Sometimes these questions are hard to answer because we don't want to be straight up with ourselves. But let me tell you a little secret. No matter how much you lie to yourself... GOD ALWAYS KNOWS. 

So at some point we all have to choose. We all have to decide. The world or Christ. We can't keep making up our Christian walk to look so flawless on the outside when our hearts are so clouded on the inside. God does not want half of your heart so you can use the other half to harbor resentment or anger. He want's it all. He does not want you to have more faith in your bank account than Him. He wants all of you. He does not want to fight with the world for you. Being lukewarm makes Him more upset than you being totally against Him. (Rev. 3:16)  He is not for prettied up Christian walks on social media. He wants to get all the grime and residue off your heart. He wants exfoliate your heart. (Psalm 51:10). He wants a clean heart and a renewed spirit in Him.

Pursue Him. Not this world. Stop fronting. Stop concealing. Live for Him and Him alone.  

Brittany 

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