March 26, 2008

Red Lipstick

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

Friend to Friend

When my three children were young, it was a challenge to keep track of where they were. My husband and I baby proofed the house as best we could, used gates and hoped for the best. I’ll never forget the day that Preston and Kennedy were accounted for in the play room, but Hunter had wandered off. I called for him, but got no response.

Curious, I headed for the front stair case and listened for his little two-year-old voice. I checked his bedroom – no Hunter. I checked Preston’s room and Kennedy’s room - no Hunter. By now, my heart was racing as my concern grew. When I headed into my bedroom, I heard faint noises coming from the master bathroom.

Our bathroom mirror gave me all the information I needed. Hunter had gotten into my red lipstick and it was everywhere! I wanted to laugh – I wanted to cry! He was unaware of my presence as he continued his creative lipstick artwork on my walls and on the linen closet door. On a whim, I ran to get the camcorder.

Stifling laughter, I crossed the threshold of the bathroom and confronted my little chubby-cheeked ‘red lipstick-all-over-his-face’ boy. He immediately hid his scandalous tool behind his back…thinking I was none the wiser. I asked him what he was doing, to which he replied “Nothing.” In my best trying-not-to-laugh mommy voice, I continued to ask him a series of questions and he continually denied any wrong doing.

Sometimes I wonder how many times I go before the Lord in prayer while trying to hide my red lipstick behind my back. How many times have I thought I was pulling one over on Him? Just as simply as I saw the tangible evidence of Hunter’s red face, God sees our hearts and knows what we’ve been up to. He sees pride, anger, gossip and bitterness. He sees hurts not forgiven, sins not confessed, the habits we cling to, the shows we watch and the literature we read that don’t honor Him. He sees our failures and lovingly longs for us to allow Him to clean up the mess we’ve made.

A few years back, after reading 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Psalm 51, and seeking God’s heart in prayer, I was inspired to write the following song:

Purify My Soul

By Gwen Smith

You know my heart and You know my ways

Yet You love me just the same

I know that You are able

You are God, it’s true

Help me Lord, just as I am, surrender all to You

Purify my soul

Cleanse my heart and mind

Restore to me Your gentle, loving arms

Purify my soul

So I can go and be a true reflection of Your holiness

Create in me a clean heart

And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away, Lord from Your presence

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

Lord, Your love surrounds me – encompassing my soul

Mold me as a potter molds the clay

The freedom of forgiveness liberates my life

Renew in me a fire, in the name of Jesus Christ

What is your red lipstick today? Are you ready to hand it over to God?

Let’s pray

Dear God, please forgive me for the things in my life that I’ve kept from You or tried to hide from You. You deserve better from me. Help me eliminate everything in my life and in my heart that “contaminates my body and spirit.” I want my life to be a reflection of Your holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now it’s your turn

· Consider the red lipstick(s) that God may be calling you to toss aside.

· Seek Him in prayer and toss away!

· Do you trust that God’s plan for your life is better that your plan for your life?

· Ask God to strengthen your faith and purify your heart.

More from the Girls

Honesty before God is not always easy, which is funny to me, since He already knows every detail about us. It’s kind of like Adam in the Garden of Eden. After Adam sinned, Jesus came looking for him with the question, “Where are you?” God certainly knew where Adam was and that he had sinned. Adam needed to come before God and confess that sin for his own spiritual integrity. How about you? (“Purify My Soul” is found on my CD Show Me the Way)