I will not accept “as is” as a way of life . . .

 

Brave Women Manifesto #1 -I will not accept “as is” as a way of life, because God is not yet done with the work He began in me and intends to use my life in His good work.

I will not accept “as is” as a way of life,
because God is not yet done with the work He began in me
and intends to use my life in His good work. 

Philippians 1:6 NIV

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the good work you began in me long before I ever considered joining you in your work. Thank you for the ways you have manifested your purposes in my life, even at times when I have felt alone and defeated. Thank you that your work is not limited to my abilities, but transforms my gifts and talents in way that is only possible through the infusing of your Holy Spirit within me.

Lord, please forgive me for the way I get in the way of your work, as I yield to my flesh and become consumed by my own desires, excuses, fears, and ill-motives. Forgive me for the junk I hold onto in my heart and mind—junk that crowds out your presence and the way you want to work in my life.

Help me, Lord, to see your purposes. Help me to embrace your plans. Give me eyes to see how you’re transforming my “as is” life into something remarkably beautiful from an eternal perspective. In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen

God has a plan to use even the most broken parts of our lives for His glorious purposes that tell a story of His mighty work.

If you took a tour of my home, you’d find that there is a story in nearly every piece of furniture. Their “as is” condition reveals a long journey before they came to us as a hand-me-down, road-side find, or were uncovered in the far corners of a discount store.

While it’s awesome to furnish your home a fraction of the retail cost, there’s another aspect of picking up “as is” furniture that’s priceless — it’s the memories that are made in the acquisition.

Like that time I was heading out with the girls and we passed this beautiful but monstrous armoire on the side of the road. We circled back around two times, bantering about whether it would fit in our van, but never questioning whether we could lift the thing in the first place. I finally gave in to the girls’ enthusiasm and we pulled up right in front the beauty, put the van seats down, tipped the giant backwards, and tried to shove it into the back. As we were finally giving up, realizing we misjudged the girth of the piece, a man from across the street started walking towards us. We were panicked that he wanted it, but instead, he said, “Ladies, would you like some help? I can drive it to your house in the back of my pick-up truck.”

If you could have heard the squeals of my HGTV-enamored tween girls. They thought we hit the jackpot, and that’s exactly how they tell the story every time someone admires the piece in our home . . . the most imperfect piece with sticky drawers and cabinet doors that don’t stay shut.

Every time someone admires our armoire, with sticky drawers and cabinet doors that don’t stay shut, we can’t help but recount the whole memorable experience. It tells a story of spontaneity, craziness, miscalculations, and lack of strength, along with the kindness of a stranger.

I can’t help but imagine God’s perspective when He looks at us. While we might think we’re “as is” and destined for the “reduced for imperfections” category, He sees wonderful purpose and a life still yet to be lived.

God has a plan to use even the most broken parts of our lives for His glorious purposes that tell a story of His mighty work.


 

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