Reflections of the Most High

This is an article I wrote about a year ago for an online teen girls magazine...Goddess Magazine. I was the contributor for the inspirational "Goddess Within" section. Thought I would share, and feel free to share with other young girls who are struggling with the understanding of how beautiful God truly created them.

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I adore mirrors; most girls do. But I mean personally, I absolutely love mirrors. It is hard for me to not look in a mirror if I am near or around one. Mirrors are probably one of the most innovative inventions known to man, especially to women, because it allows us to really see ourselves exactly the way we look at that period and time. And if at that period of time we think we are pretty, it gives us what we believe to be the pretty truth. Now in addition to our pretty moments, more often man made mirrors also show us the natural, the flaws, and the things we may often times try to cover up. The blemishes and imperfections that sometimes can be less than desirable and maybe the things that we have been told are not pretty or cute. A man made mirror can be your friend, or your enemy. It could be your dream or your worst nightmare.

When we are all dolled up, we usually can't stay out of them. We love to look at our beautiful faces, perfectly manicured with all the trimmings of foundation, concealer, lipstick, and liner. And if looking in a large mirror, we twist and turn to see all the angles of the phenomenal completion of a trendy dressed woman. However, on the flip side, sometimes many of us including myself, have no desire to look in one if we fear what is staring back at us is less than what we desire. Needless to say, a man made mirror, at any given moment, can also give us what we believe is the ugly truth. In contrast, it is really not a truth but more so a man made perception. This is the fallacy of what a man made mirror can tell. We quickly forget how no matter what we may look like at whatever time, we are still a reflection of the most high.

God created us in His image...let me say that again...God created us in HIS IMAGE. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). A masterpiece sculpted by the master of perfection. You are beautiful beyond words. You are so special to God, that when He created you, He set you apart from all the rest. He loves you so much that you are more than a flock of sparrows to Him. (Luke 12:7) What a man made mirror shows, God does not even recognize. What a God made mirror shows, man does not want to recognize. Man does not want to recognize that God sees no flaws, even if and when they are present. We have been trained by worldly standards to think that what we look like is most important, and anything less than perfect is "damaged goods". This, young ladies, is an ultimate untruth. There is nothing on this great earth that God put His hand in and created that was damaged or contains imperfection in His eyes or by His standards.

So I ask you this, what mirror do you have? Whose mirror are you looking in? Is it man's mirror, or is it God's mirror? God's mirror honors no flaws or imperfections because you are perfect, lovely and unique to Him. God’s mirror does not give the reflection of a blemished fallacy because you are a specific reflection of Him. You are indeed a reflection of perfection. And remember, if you are a reflection of Him, the Most High; then well, by the grace of His majesty and dominion, you must be fly.

Song of Solomon 4:7:
7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. (New Living Translation)

I Won't Complain

I could write all about the lyrics to this old church hymn, and how it tugs at my heart every time I hear it, but I believe the actual lyrics tell it all.

I've had some good days
I've had some hills to climb
I've had some weary days
And some sleepless nights

But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
Outweigh my bad days
I won't complain

Sometimes the clouds are low
I can hardly see the road
I ask a question, Lord
Lord, why so much pain?
But he knows what's best for me
Although my weary eyes
They can't see
So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain

The Lord Has been so good to me
He's been good to me
More than this old world or you could ever be
He's been so good to me

He dried all of my tears away
Turned my midnights into day
So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain.

The Year of Jubilee

Last night I was watching tv, supposedly doing homework and Joel Osteen's broadcast came on. I was halfway listening as I was really ready to finish my studying so I could to go to bed. But God had a word for me via Pastor Osteen...."This is My Year of Jubilee". Now just to be sure and clear, I wanted to read the definition of the word "Jubilee". There were many ranging from culture to culture. Roman Catholics(A time of rejoicing), to Jews and Isrealites(yearlong period to be observed once every 50 years, during which slaves were to be freed). There was even a specified definition for Black American culture that stated "future happiness or deliverance from tribulation". All and All Jubilee can easily be summed up as "a season of general joy", or "an occasion of joyful celebration". But the kicker is in most cultures it only happens ever 25 or 50 years, so you KNOW it has to be a huge, huge, once in a life time deal. Jubilee is something SO BIG that many cultures only get to experience it maybe once or twice in a lifetime. Oh and did I mention that it is a YEAR LONG celebration? That in itself must mean its a phenomenal season to be in. Going back to Osteen's topic... It was an amazing word, and I WENT IN. In betwixt my crying, thanking, and praising God, I managed to jot down a few key things that I do believe God really wants us to know. Since we now know what Jubilee means, and I MORE THAN got the word last night and have already thanked and agreed with my Father on this, this is for you...

~Don't beg God for things, thank Him for releasing what already belongs to you

~God works where there is faith and expectancy

~When Jubilee comes, nothing can stop God from releasing what has your name on it

~God's dream for your life is so much bigger than your own

~He has put your name on everything you need for your destiny

~Acceleration, unprecedented FAVOR is here, get ready for things to accelerate because God is speeding things up profusely

~This is the year for God to act on your behalf...freedom, restoration, promotion, increase, just to name a few.

This is your year of Jubilee, the free favor of God is profusely abounding all around you. Dare to believe it, I do.

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]".
~Ephesians 3:20(Amplified Bible)