“He that covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoso ever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Today’s Christian daily devotional
The waves are crashing hypnotically on the waterfront of our remote Jamaican villa. We are somewhere between the dark and dawn, as the sun has not risen yet. The morning dew glistens off the plastic chair I have mindlessly plopped my body into.
Our photo crew moves like silent zombies. They robotically set up the lights and set on the beach, while I fight to keep my sleep-deprived eyes from closing. The battle does not last long as my feet sink into the cool white sand and the breeze on my skin seems to massage away all objections.
“I’m here to do your makeup. My name is Karley.” A soft voice arouses me from my dreamy state. A fresh faced blonde drops down in the chair in front of mine. She quietly starts pinning the hair from off my face, smiling serenely.
The mesmerizing sound of the seagulls lulls me into thinking I just might be able to stay here forever. As Karley gently dusts my face with powder and crème, my mind relaxes back into my delicious little slumber.
“Julia. The photographer is ready for you now.” A gentle nudge from the sweet angel named Karley awakens me once again. If it was anyone else, I might have been annoyed.
Fighting the urge to rub my eyes, I blink several times while jogging quickly toward the sun that is peaking strongly over the ocean waves.
In photography, lighting is everything. Within ten minutes the rays would be too prominent to capture the vision of the artist behind the camera. Working rapidly, we shoot as much footage as we can. The photographer quickly changes our angles according to the whims of the sun and wind.
Wielding a brush and her arsenal of utensils, the makeup artist works her magic and retouches me as we all try to hurry and get the best light we can. When I find a spare moment, I finally get a chance to glance at my reflection.
It was amazing. After Karley’s artful touch with her miraculous potions and products, she had successfully whisked away all my blemishes, freckles and imperfections. Karley was truly an angel in my eyes.
The photographer stepped over to check her finishing touches, and while he did, he handed me his camera so I could view the shots we had already captured.
“Oh, don’t worry too much about that wrinkle in your dress. We will photo-shop that out in post production.” He tosses the comment over his shoulder while pointing the crew to our next location, motioning what equipment was needed.
Working with makeup artists, photo re-touchers and all the other luxuries of a world not based in realism is something that a perfectionist could get very comfortable with. Unfortunately, life is not as perfect as a photo-shopped fashion shoot. There will be blemishes, bad lighting and wind that will work against you at every angle.
Since competing in my first beauty pageant, I had become a specialist at emphasizing my positive traits and a sleuth at skillfully hiding my flaws.
But even with my deep appreciation for flawlessness, at some point in the day, I always knew there would be a time I had to take my makeup off. If I didn’t, my skin would never have a chance to breathe or be healed. Continually slapping on coat after coat of makeup just to hide the blemishes I don’t care to see; would actually be counter-productive in the end. It would eventually make any skin condition I suffered from worse that it was to begin with!
Some people are like that with their spiritual self. They are afraid of being vulnerable and facing the truth with God. Many put a “happy face” on the outside, while their souls rot away at the core.
In Proverbs 28:13, we are promised that being truthful with our selves and God will only lead us to the mercy of God. Covering your issues never really makes them go away. But, honesty with God can.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
My list of issues is so long. Just like a heaping tower of laundry staring me down, it cannot wait another day.
Lord, there have been so many choices in my life that have brought me to the place I am today. Not all of them were bad, but many of them could have used the wisdom of your consultation.
I don’t want to hide from my past, my justifications, or my behavior. I want to come clean. Help me, as this feels like such an overwhelming process.
Take me down the path of my memories to find the root of the problems I am dealing with today. Cover my heart as this will be painful, and my first reaction might be to turn around. Help me to press forward, knowing that there is good in confessing and forsaking these things.
In Jesus’ precious name, help me to be brave as I draw closer to you, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Proverbs 28:13
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan