You know that feeling you get when you go to the beauty salon to get your hair done, but you are dreading that “sit under the dryer” phase? Yeah, that feeling. I’ve never heard anyone go into a salon and look forward to that phase of the beautifying process. I am guilty of this myself and was actually tempted once to leave out of a salon with my hair half wet and half dry.
I joke about this but often wonder why that is the hardest part to sit through? Why is it that we grow so impatient in that short moment when we know that the outcome will be a new, transformed us? I thought about that nagging feeling as it relates to the process of being made whole and the truth is many of us do not sit long enough for God to process us. In order to become all that we were created to be there is a necessary process that we must undergo to make and mold us into that. I find that many of us choose to abort prematurely, whether it be due to impatience, pride, fear, not having the courage to face the broken parts, or anything else to avoid the pains and woes that often time come with it. Sometimes, we can allow impatience to interfere and in some cases ruin the process to becoming all that we were created to become.
I joke about this but often wonder why that is the hardest part to sit through? Why is it that we grow so impatient in that short moment when we know that the outcome will be a new, transformed us? I thought about that nagging feeling as it relates to the process of being made whole and the truth is many of us do not sit long enough for God to process us. In order to become all that we were created to be there is a necessary process that we must undergo to make and mold us into that. I find that many of us choose to abort prematurely, whether it be due to impatience, pride, fear, not having the courage to face the broken parts, or anything else to avoid the pains and woes that often time come with it. Sometimes, we can allow impatience to interfere and in some cases ruin the process to becoming all that we were created to become.
Let’s use Esther as a model. The young woman of God had to undergo an intense beautification and preparation process before being presented to King Ahasuerus in candidacy as his new wife. In Esther 2:12, the bible says that this process lasted 12 months- 6 months of oil and myrrh, and another 6 months of perfumes and cosmetics. Now, obviously the emphasis was on the grooming of the exterior but I believe that as she was being primped and primed on the outside, she was also being transformed inwardly.
A few things to note:
1. Esther allowed herself to be processed. Can you imagine with me that she probably had insecurities about allowing people to see her with her flaws, imperfections, blemishes, wrinkles and scars? I often wonder if she wanted to resist because the process was just too hard or painful at times.
2. She sat still and endured the mandatory process for a year. She allowed the time necessary to be prepared for presentation to King Ahasuerus and at the appointed time she would be favored by Him.
3. She kept her purpose in mind. Esther was on an assignment to save her people (the Jews) and bring them into deliverance (Esther 4:13-14). She knew that an entire nation depended on her and so she did not abort her process prematurely. That meant that whatever she needed to go through, she would (Esther 4:16).
4. Her bravery won her favor with the King and partnership in ruling with him. She had to be courageous to confront the King and to expose two plans: one that would destroy the King and a second to annihilate the Jews which we her own people.
How does this relate to your process?
1. You have to allow yourself to be processed. Though it is uncomfortable and often times painful to face your past, failures, weaknesses, flaws and brokenness, it is necessary to allow God to process you so that you become all that you were designed to be.
2. You have to sit still long enough for the process to be completed. In all honesty, we aren’t ready to handle all that God has for us anyway. Our character, attitudes, behaviors and habits can very well ruin the thing that God wants for us. If we can’t be still, we’ll run the risk of never living to our greatest potential; we’ll always be stuck at our last place of development.
3. There is purpose for your process. Rarely have I found that we go through anything just to be going through it. There is always a purpose for everything that we face. Have you discovered what this is? Whose life is depending on you? What are you determined to be freed from that will blaze a trail for those to follow you? Let this be your motivation to break free from every limitation and restriction.
4. Your bravery to confront your issues and endure your process to the end will give you rulership (authority) over the very thing that once kept you bound. There is no greater reward than that!
I pray that you are as brave as Esther and have the courage to continue your process, whatever that looks like for you. Be determined to stay the course, no matter how long it is or how much it takes. The finished product will be a beautiful and perfected one, worth the patience and pain of enduring today.
Bible references: The Book of Esther
Shevante is a young woman of God and single mother who is passionate about the heart and mind of God's people. Her passion that by her testimony that she would be a light and cause others to come to know intimacy and relationship with Father God. Through her writing, she strives to connect with her audience in a way that gives hope and inspires change.
© 2016 by Shevante Walker. All Rights Reserved.
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