Make Me Over

Makeup. It's what most women live for. Just a little lip gloss here, a touch of foundation there, and a dab of everything else that we have neatly packed into our cosmetic bags. Over the years, I have learned so much about makeup, along with little "tricks" that help to achieve the desired look. One can hide so many flaws with the help of a perfectly arranged palette, a crafted brush, and an artistic eye. I have literally witnessed full-blown transformations in less than an hour. Makeovers have the power to give one a new found self-esteem, attitude, and personality. I guess you can say that they create a "new you." 

We have become accustomed to "quick fixes" and transformations in today's society. However, Christ doesn't work this way. We can't simply add a dab of righteousness here, a splash of faith there, and finish off with smidgen of purity. When we want to "look good" for Christ, which really means when we want to look like Christ, we have to prepare ourselves for a full-blown makeover that requires patience, trust, and faith. These things cannot be found at the bottom of our cosmetic bags. We have to seek His face and ask Him with sincerity to change our hearts and to make them over to resemble His. 

" Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10 NLT)

It's no secret that the key to great makeup is a great foundation, meaning your skin. So why do we think our hearts are any different? In order to have a clean heart, one must have a good foundation, meaning Christ. We don't have to hide or cover anything up for Him. He loves us just the way we are! He knows our every imperfection and they couldn't make us any less perfect to Him, but when we give Him the opportunity to make us over, He does it in a way that only He could. We have to remember to not become so reliant on things that make us "look" the part and actually focus on living it. 

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV)

God is the only one who can make us over from the inside out, literally. When He makes you over, you have a natural glow about yourself. Your "beauty" will naturally attract people because it's really Christ's light shining through you that draws the crowd. When people want to get to know Him, they will naturally come to you. That's the whole point of our existence anyway. To continuously push each other and non-believers to Christ. He is the only way!

So this doesn't mean you have to feel guilty about wearing makeup by a long shot. It's just a reminder that when you pick up your tools and get ready to create a masterpiece, know that God has already created one and He is the best artist there is. Seek Him!

Rochelle Burnley is a queen of all trades. She loves the Lord and desires to spread His love and light to everyone that she is blessed to touch. A producer by profession, she intends to use her gift of storytelling to spread the good news and to represent Christ. A proud Baltimore native, Rochelle leaves trails of purple along her life's journey. She is a chocolate connoisseur; as well as a lover of good movies, music, books, and food. She takes the phrase "shop until you drop" seriously. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communications from Hampton University and is currently enrolled in The New School for an M.S. in Media Management.