A few years ago I went on a long period of mission work that changed my life. Because of the erratic diet and other related things, the ph levels of my skin changed. I was suddenly having to use a whole lot of products for my skin, whereas before, water would have sufficed.
I struggled for a long while, until a few years later when I went for a consultation in the desperate hope that someone could help me to restore the clear skin that I had before. They told me that I had adult acne. I was positively upset.
Over time, it cleared as I watched my diet, my water, and fruit intake, and took a range of vitamins. Eventually I decided that I was going to take the plunge (it was a definite pocket plunge!) to only use naturally based makeup products. The difference was remarkable and I kind of vowed (even though it was never really tested and proven) that because my skin wouldn’t allow me to use any un-natural products, that I would never again buy them.
It’s been a few years since then, and other than the odd break out, life has been amazing. But then it happened. I did the stupidest thing ever.
The line of foundation that I was using was discontinued – in my experience that often happens when you find something good! Because of this, I decided that I was going to try something else outside of the store, rather than in the store where I had to try and find another product in my colour yet again. I found something from a well-known, reputable brand and took it home. Not even two days later, a nasty rash had formed all over my skin. Of course, I waited until I had used it for five days to totally give in to my buyer’s remorse and rash. I knew my mistake. I had made an “important health decision” for the life of my skin a few years ago, and now started to doubt that it was a properly made one. So I went back – and forgot about all of the things that happen when I don’t remember.
I kind of had an “aah-haa” moment, right there and then. Because sin, well… sin is like a bad rash. You could have been “fine” all of your life, and then suddenly it breaks out and the consequences of the life you lived become more than you can handle. You find Jesus and it’s not that he makes it instantly better, but he takes away the guilt and the shame, and teaches you how to live by grace, and walk through life knowing that you are accepted, significant, and secure in Him. However, when you’ve been walking with Him for so long that you forget what it was like when you didn’t have Him, you may let your guard down a bit, and allow yourself to get sucked up into something. The results of that, however, are disastrous and you are quickly reminded that your life before Jesus sucked. Sometimes you come back quickly, sometimes not so quickly.
I was reminded that I never ever want to make that bad decision – to just “try” something out “just in case I made the wrong decision….”
We have to be fully convinced that Jesus is the best decision that we could ever make, and that we could have ever made.
The Bible puts it this way: “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was also able to perform” Romans 4:21 (KJV)
I am fully persuaded that Jesus is able to perform everything that he promised me: full coverage from my sins through his blood, his sacrifice on the cross for me.
“… And humbly welcome the word of truth that will blossom like a seed of salvation planted in your souls. Put the word into action. If you think hearing is what matters most, you are going to find that you have been deceived. If some fails to do what God requires, it’s as if they forget the work as soon as they hear it. One minute they look in the mirror, and the nest they forget who they are and what they look like. However, it is possible to open your eyes and take in the beautiful perfect truth found in God’s law of liberty and live by it. If you pursue that path and actually do what God has commanded, then you will avoid the many distractions that will lead to an amnesia of all true things and you will be blessed….” James 1:23-25 (The Voice)
My friend, don’t be like me, who got amnesia and forgot the things that were true . If you’ve never had that truth presented to you, I would love to welcome you to click on the banner below!