One of the sweetest gifts I ever received was a painting from an artist friend of mine. Knowing that I had liked one similar to it, my friend Judy painted a painting of the women in the lineage of Christ (See Matthew One). I have loved it from the moment she sent it to me and each time I look at it, I am thankful for her generous gift to me. The fact that she would do that for me has blessed me more than she will ever know. It also stands as a reminder of something else dear to my heart… the women of the Bible.
They all have a story to tell, my friend, and the women in this painting have an especially important one. Each one of these women were an ancestress of the Messiah. None of them would have believed it had you tried to tell them. They weren’t perfect, in fact, most of them had a pretty scandalous background. However, this is what is so beautiful about their story. It doesn’t matter what your past looks like, God can give you a new future.
No matter what your background looks like, beloved, He can give you a new story. He can do things in your heart and life that you never dreamed possible. If you will give Him your heart and life, there is no limit to what He can do. Our God specializes in taking ordinary (and even sinful and scandalous) women and transforming them into extraordinary women who can do great things for His kingdom. What could He do with you, dear heart?
As we get ready to enter a new year, trust Him to write you a good story. Your past doesn’t define you. Your family history doesn’t determine your future. Your mistakes haven’t messed up God’s plan for your life. God loves you and He can a write a beautiful story with your life too, my friend. Choose to trust Him. Give Him all the pieces and let Him work. Let Him do what only He can do, dear heart. Your story isn’t finished. There’s no telling what God might do!
*If you would like to learn more about the women of the Old Testament, please check out my book Choices That Define Us, A Study of the Women of the Old Testament available on Amazon.com – Katrina Douglas
