My Complete Reality Reprise

I remember a year ago writing about the season of life I was in at that moment. I called it "My Complete Reality" to honour my season of waiting on God, to not lose sight of the plans He has for me, and to attempt to not "paint the walls of my life with dramatic and insincere artistry or some fake persona of perfection or... whitewash." The whitewash it so fondly talks about in Ezekiel 13:10-11:

“The fact is that they’ve lied to my people. They’ve said, ‘No problem; everything’s just fine,’ when things are not at all fine. When people build a wall, they’re right behind them slapping on whitewash. Tell those who are slapping on the whitewash, ‘When a torrent of rain comes and the hailstones crash down and the hurricane sweeps in and the wall collapses, what’s the good of the whitewash that you slapped on so liberally, making it look so good?"

I am forever grateful for that season where I learned about the beauty of vulnerability, that it is okay to let people see your heart stripped bare. It was okay that life wasn't going the way I planned. It was okay because I remember the people who were there for me, even when it may not be the prettiest. It taught me about how God intended us to live- in community. Knowing each others' faults and strengths and persevering through every season of life with people- knowing its going to be hard. And that conclusion is so beautiful.

But what happens when God gives you what you prayed for?

My Complete Reality now is ebony and ivory in comparison to last year. "When I look back at this time of my life, and see the success, abundance, and purpose have blossomed into my life. You will know with clarity and confidence that He is LORD GOD." He has given me the direct support of friends and family, a more stable income, and has supplied every opportunity to pursue my university ambitions. Wow. He is the LORD GOD.

It has become My Complete Blessing. Though I have come to realise, "Prosperity hardens the heart." as William Wilberforce once said. The heart is hardened because we no longer have to rely on God as our Saviour and Provider, and we don't need to right? Because of course, we have our blessings to rely on! Wow. This right here... is whitewash.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean."

Matthew 23:27

When Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, he warned them of the hypocrisy that they had clothed themselves with. Though they may look like they were doing well for themselves, praying very loudly, and apparently doing God's work- but their hearts and their intentions were not in the right place. The Pharisees dressed themselves in righteous facades to ensure people perceived them in a flattering light, though beneath that clothing they were hypocrites.

My blessings are not bad, but relying on them and using them as a measuring tool to determine how well this season is going is wrong. Am I really fulfilling this season's purpose if my morals are compromised, or if I have been drifting away from God, or I value plans over purpose? No.

The blessings, momentary success, and prosperity is all whitewash when your heart is not right. Ecclesiastes 7:1 suggests that a good name is better than a precious perfume. You can have the best perfume the world has to offer, but it will never cover the stench of your spirit. Who you are is more important than materialistic blessings around you. Clothe yourself in love and joy and self control, rather than the things that will slip away.

And when I look back at this time of my life, and reminisce about the blessings the LORD has given me, I pray that I have grown and who I am only speaks of wisdom, love, and all the fruits of the Spirit. I pray that I am humbled, so that I am always awestruck of His power. I pray that I bring all glory to His great name because He built the mountains high, and He is with me through every valley.

And you will know with clarity and confidence that He is LORD GOD.