I was taking inventory of my own alabaster boxes. There were boxes that held my dreams, gifts, love, service, time, my passions, even a box that is about caring for myself. And I noticed there are boxes I try to hide from the Lord (my dreams and passions), the ones from which I don’t pour out everything but only what I think is enough (my love and service), and the ones that I put on the shelf to use “later” (my gifts and caring for myself).

I didn’t really view myself as an abandoned woman…

A mighty conversation began with the Lord.

I was calling out to Him, telling Him how I want to pour out, how I want to be filled up to overflowing so that He will spill out on those around me, how I want to take care of the little flock He had given. All these emotions and prayers poured out of my heart. My ardent prayer ended with one rush of words “Lord I want to make a difference.”

And His reply was deafening.

 I want to make you different.

I was stopped in my tracks. I heard the two comments. One was laborious, one was freeing. When I try to make a difference then the effort is up to me, on my shoulders. But when it is Jesus making me different the journey is totally other, totally Him.

God making me different is a God thing. And as He makes me different, all the other desires, hopes, and goals will play out for His glory. His glory life in me makes all the difference. What better evangelical tool is there than a person is who radically different because of the presence of Jesus Christ? What can be a more powerful story than a life that has been changed? Look at the woman at Jesus’s feet.

Was the woman changed? Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven, go in peace.” This isn’t just peace like, “Have a Coke and a smile.” This is complete restoration, total healing, the broken made whole.

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever‑increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (II Corinthians 3:16-18)

I love this. We turn to Him. He transforms us. Glory to glory.

Excerpt taken from Unhindered, Chapter 47

Let’s Get Real Here:

How’s your inventory? Looking at your life, who do you believe (act on, live like) is responsible for your transformation?