Don't Go Changin'

I was thinking about how often people think that giving their life to Christ means that they have to somehow become entirely different people. Some think that God wants them to completely "flip the script" on their personalities in order to come to Him. I know I used to think that. But luckily a very very smart mommy once told me that God made me who I am for a reason. Everything about me (the good, the bad and the ugly) God could and would use for His purpose and according to His will.

I was relieved that this big mouth for designed for God's purpose. He made me loud in order to reach someone who might be having trouble hearing the Truth.

I realized that my crazy sense of humor was all a part of God's plan. I would one day be around teenagers who would not respond to the same old boring stuff.

I got happy that this creative mind wasn't all for nothing. One day God would pour His words into it and ask me to add a little of my own flavor to it. Someone would need to read an encouraging and honest word.

God is saying "Don't go changing, to try and please me." Yes, I'm going to be quoting some Billy Joel here along with some scripture!
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Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore

See God doesn't want to change your personality. Your personality is what makes you YOU and God made you. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

God sees who you are and loves you. You can't hide from Him. "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord." Jeremiah 23:24
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Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

You don't have to be perfect to come to God. He wants you to come just as you are, warts and all. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelations 22:17. All you have to do is come and partake.
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I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are

God doesn't want to change you...he wants a relationship with you. He wants you to talk to Him so that He can talk back to you. It doesn't have to be loud or fancy or long. It just has to be from your heart. You don't have to be TD Jakes or Eddie Long or Joyce Meyer to get God's attention (although they are awesome...)

"Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:8-13
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I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take 'till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you..
Have you heard this one? A woman named Shirley was from Beverly Hills. One day, she had a heart attack and was taken to Cedars Sinai hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near-death experience. She saw God and asked, "Is this it?" God said, "No, you have another 30 to 40 years to live." Upon her recovery, she decided to stay in the hospital and have collagen shots, cheek implants, a face lift, liposuction and breast augmentation. She even had someone dye her hair. She figured since she had another 30 to 40 years, she might as well make the most of it. She walked out of Cedars Sinai lobby after the last operation and was killed by an ambulance speeding up to the hospital. She arrived in front of God and said, "I thought you said I had another 30 to 40 years?" God replied, "Shirley!?! I didn't recognize you!"

Now understand that some changes have to happen. God wants you to stop sinning. He wants to create in you a new heart and mind that is focused on Him and the Kingdom and not so much on self and flesh. But those are changes that HE makes. "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
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I said I love you, and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.

Yeah...there's nothing to add to that.

In love,
Mona