Just write.

           

          Today is a day where I all I can feel is heartfelt emotion. Where I walk down the halls narrating my life story within my head, as if I were writing a book. It probably is some kind of disorder this compulsive writing of mine. Writing, that is not simply words on paper, but rather continuous anecdotes that are spoken within my mind and heart. Every person is a character. There are no sides parts. Only lead roles. You see, we each have a story.
            We each have something far beneath us. Especially us "good church girls." Life can be unfair to us. We are deemed the perfectionist. The "church goer." The "pk's" of society. But beneath the church girl's mask of goodness, is a person, longing to be sought out as someone more than "nice" or "sweet" or "cute." We long to be seen as the passionate one. The mystery of the world. There is so much more to us than just a "good church girl." More fiery passion and jubilance. More character and intense love for Christ. More spirit and rapture. Search others. Look at us. Read us for who we are rather than our deemed impressions.

Glimpse beneath the surface of others

                Okay, what I'm about to say is very important so perk up your blog reading ears and listen closely. Many people in this world (including me) are much different beneath the surface if you just take the time to look. Wouldn't we love to be searched out? For someone to take interest in us? To see who the real person is behind it all? There are times that I wish people would dig deep and see who I truly was. Who took notice of little things I liked and took interest in finding out my passions. We all would love others to glimpse at us beneath the surface of our life. So let's go deep with others.
               So. It might seem a bit strange at first doing this, but looking beyond what's given is so important. However, it also means giving up all pre-conceived ideas of the people around you. It means not believing the nasty rumors you hear about others until you get to know them enough for yourself. It means not following the "status quo". It means changing your culture. Our generation has stopped the deep and beautiful relationships that once existed and instead replaced them with "skin deep" superficial and fake friendships. (Fortunately I have been blessed with some amazing friends!) And I guess that's why my friends and I get along so well. We see each other for who we truly are. Our friendships are not merely based on outward appearances and shallow conversations, but rather something more deep founded in Christ.

"Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow..." ~Isaac Watts

                How did Jesus view those He met? He surely searched beneath the surface of the tax-collectors and the "unwanted" by his society. He called the widows, orphans, and little children unto himself. He didn't care what others had said, he searched the heart and knew the soul of everyone He came in contact with. That's our job. 

Do not be so shallow to miss the beauty hidden beneath the surface of a person's soul.

Searching beneath your own surface.

               So many times, we see someone for what they are on the outside and how they generally act. Our relationships with others are just "skin deep". Do we look beneath the surface? Do we search out the real person beneath all the fronts and masks? Sometimes I believe that we tend to stray away from doing this because we're afraid of what we might find. We also know that the idea of someone possibly knowing the depths of our being is far too much to risk, so why would we want to search for that in others? Here's the thing. Its important to know others for who they truly are inside and beneath the surface, yet this can only happen when you take the time to look beneath yours.
             Now, I can't fully explain to you how to examine yourself and find out who you truly are, all I know is you are who God created you to be. Some of us (not all) have masked the qualities and personality that God has given us and tried to be someone else in order to fit in with "the crowd." The world has wounded us, shoving us to the floor telling us it is worthless to try and be ourselves all the while having the approval of others. But here's the truth,

"You are the glorious image-bearer of the Lord Jesus Christ - the crown of His creation. You have been assaulted. You have fallen to your own resources. Your enemy has seized upon your wounds and your sins to pin your heart down. Now  the son of God has come to ransom you, and heal your broken, wounded, bleeding heart, and  set you free from bondage. He came for the broken-hearted captives. That's me. That's you. He came to restore the glorious creation that you are. And then set you free... to be yourself."
~From Captivating (John and Stasi Elderedge)

               That's what God put beneath our surface.. God wants to see us free from hiding. So before we move on to searching beneath the surface of others, let's get it right with ourselves first. God will heal your wounds, He'll renew you heart. So let the restoration begin.