Extreme Makeover

Extreme Makeover

The word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. –Hebrews 4:12

Our culture is makeover crazy right now. I must admit it is interesting to see the dramatic changes in people who submit to the knife of a skilled plastic surgeon. When I watch these programs, I like to fast-forward to the end and see the before and after pictures and wonder at the transformation.

Did you know that God has chosen you for an “extreme makeover”? Most of us come to the Word of God looking for advice to help us fix ourselves up a little, only to discover that God wants to do something far more dramatic and intense. He wants to penetrate the dark corners of our inner lives and deal with the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts to transform us into a people who radiate his beauty and grace. This makeover is a painful, lifelong process, and the tool God often uses is his Word, which cuts deeply and lays bare the ugliness we might wish to keep hidden. Then he begins his work of cutting away what is keeping us from displaying the beauty of his presence in our lives. And the cutting away is painful.

It always surprises me that the people on these makeover shows are willing to have their photographs taken wearing only their underwear. These before and after photos are then displayed for the whole world to see. I would never want to be that exposed! And neither do I relish the idea of having my inner life exposed, my thought life and motives laid bare. But I am unable to hide anything from God’s penetrating gaze. And I need not fear it. As he exposes my shallow beliefs and false intentions with the truth of his Word, he is able to cut away what displeases him, and I am better for the exposure.

Are you just looking for a little nip and tuck via a verse here and there, or are you willing to open yourself up to the whole Word of God for an extreme makeover? Would you allow the Great Physician to cut deep? He will transform your inner ugliness so that you radiate his glory, and he will clothe you with his own righteousness so that you display his holiness.

Great Physician, I open myself up for you to use the knife of your Word to judge, motivate, convict, instruct, and inspire me. Cut deep into my heart so that my life will be a beautiful testimony to your power and purity.

DIGGING DEEPER