I nearly jumped out of my skin when I finally noticed it!
As I stood in front of the bathroom sink early this morning, I felt like “Little Miss Muffet” when I glanced to my right and saw a grotesque-looking, albeit small spider dangling from an invisible web just two inches away from my arm.
Eek!
Typically spiders don’t give me the willies, but this short-legged gray and black spotted one was a bit plumper than I was comfortable with; so I was sufficiently grossed out.
Thankfully, I was able to maintain my composure—if jerking violently with bulging eyes is a suitable description for remaining “composed.” But hey, at least I didn’t scream and wake up the whole house, right? You’ve got to give me credit for something!
Well, after my heart rate slowed a bit, I snatched a couple sheets of toilet paper from the roll, mummified the unsightly critter, and let him ride the circular flush all the way to a new watery home somewhere in the sewer.
As I said good riddance to my home invader, I had to laugh at myself.
You see, I always tell my children not to be afraid of household spiders, funny-looking bugs, and other things in nature that seem odd, but are essentially harmless. Whenever the kids are around, even if something creeps me out, for their sakes, I try not to panic. But trust me. My calm external demeanor most assuredly betrays my panicky internal feelings about 80 percent of the time. Whenever I hear, “Mommy there’s a bug!” I have to brace myself so I won’t look like the cowardly lion from The Wiz.
And when the kids show me and my husband Kenya slimy worms from the backyard, we are not at all amused, okay? Not in the least. For some reason, the young Hobbs clan gets especially excited about the fat wiggly worms. *Insert gagging noise*
As my southern sister, Laquinte, says, “Hanney (Honey), no.” Not cute at all.
It is not until the children leave us alone that Kenya and I discuss how disgusting their critter fetish is, except for their love of ladybugs. Those tiny red and black speckled beetles really are cute—until they start flying around the house, bumping into my light fixtures, and making noise with those hard exoskeletons!
But, I digress.
After I turned out the bathroom light on my way out, I kept giggling, glad the kids were still sound asleep. My secret was safe and I would be able to keep putting on my brave face for them.
Unfortunately, many people handle their spiritual journeys the same way. They spend all their time focusing on controlling outward manifestations, without undergoing any real inward transformation. But that won’t work. If we aren’t really who we say we are, eventually that "spider" will come along, and we’ll get caught out there with our guard down.
Can I get somebody to say amen right there?
As it pertains to living a life of holiness, our motto can’t be, do as I say and not as I do. God expects us to practice what we preach, instead of wasting time pretending to be something we are not. After all, we can only mask our core selves for so long before our true character comes oozing from behind our mask.
Being fake and hypocritical is unhealthy, so much so, the Bible tells us to avoid folks who are that way. 2 Timothy 3:5NLT reads, “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
Our private lives and public persona must always match up. Even when we're all alone, God, the righteous judge, is watching. Proverbs 15:3 NASB says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.”
Even if we have others fooled, we can never fool God.
He knows the hidden thoughts and intents of our hearts. So today, I’m stirring a fresh reminder into your daily cup based on Jeremiah 17:10 NLT. It says, “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." When you drink down the contents of your cup today, I want you to remember, God sees you. He hears you. He knows you.
The good news is, He also loves you and me enough to tell us the truth about ourselves. If we really want to live holy and purposeful lives, we must undergo the transformation process Romans 12:2 NKJV talks about. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
God, thank You for this challenging word today that reminds me of the importance of being holy as You are holy. I ask that You search my heart today, check my motives, and reveal those areas in me that need work. Wash me with Your word and cleanse me with Your spirit so that I might live a life pleasing in Your sight, and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Song: Create in Me a Clean Heart by Donnie McClurkin
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, empower, and encourage you!
