What Happens When We Are MADE NEW

What Happens When We Are MADE NEW

Hi. I’m Sarah and I don’t wear tank tops. There, I said it. If you watch the video below at 52 seconds, I’m the gal waiving her arms up in the air on camera…in a tank top. I’m also the gal who knows how to work camera angles and clothe myself in ways to best flatter my figure and hide my flaws. But here, in our Revelation Wellness Made New video, I laid it all out on the line for the world wide web to see.

And it might have been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Take a moment to watch this video. We hope it blesses you!

 

I’m wondering if just maybe you relate, too? Maybe it’s not a tank top thing for you. You might be the one who doesn’t wear shorts because to hide your legs. Or you might even be the one who doesn’t wear dangly earrings because you’d rather not draw attention to your ears. See? I think we all might have our own hang ups in some form or fashion.

But can I confess to you? In this very vulnerable place and in His kindness and desire for my wholeness, God uncovered something foundational. You see, I’ve created a narrative in my head that my curves are better off covered up and camouflaged and I’ve locked my identity up in bondage. It’s a weird dynamic. For in the hiding and covering and strategic camouflage of my body, I’ve resurrected an idol. It’s a tricky, sneaky idol that is hidden {camouflaged and covered strategically} yet very present in so many aspects of my life.

Even as I type this, everything in me wants to shut these words down. My idol is a safe place. When it’s not exposed, I’m not required to operate in unknown territory: FREEDOM. Freedom can be a scary thing when we are flat out used to our comfy, cozy hiding space, right?

What if in our obsessing over the covering and camouflaging, we have turned our focus and maybe even worship toward…ourselves? 

Let’s rise up in freedom, declare truth, and allow God’s love for us overpower any idols we’ve created.

We WILL NOT

shame

rate

hate

misuse

or discount our bodies.

Keep declaring it: My body is a God-created vessel to express His love to the world. I carry His grace, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness. In that movement of love, grace and mercy my body speaks the beautiful story of redemption that started at the Cross.

But let us not stop there: We must not worship our bodies and bow down to the idol.

Right here, right now, let’s turn our eyes away from flesh and curves and that which fades away. Let’s turn our physical bodies and God-centered souls toward the eternal.

We are MADE NEW when we get over ourselves and make much of Jesus.

And in this holy intention, we are freed up to hear what GOD speaks over you and me every minute of the day. He says to us…

You are adored.

Your body is My creation.

Your body is My home.

This is not to be taken lightly and I wish I could tie a pretty bow and offer a perfect formula for breaking chains instantaneously. What I do know is that day by day, when I unclench my grip on those old lies, Jesus fills my open hands with His truth that soothes and heals my wounds.

And He has truth to speak just for you, too. Will you make yourself available to listen to them? Will you expose those raw places and stand vulnerable in your own proverbial tank top?

I leave you with a few lines of a Psalm that exhorts us to turn the eyes of our heart toward our Lord in order to see ourselves how He does.

“Let your heart overflow with praise to the Eternal, for He is good, for His faithful love lasts forever. Praise the True God who reigns over all other gods, for His faithful love lasts forever. Praise the Lord who reigns over all other lords, for His faithful love lasts forever.” Psalm 136:1-3 The Voice Translation

 

Sarah Martin is a wife, mom and wanna be artist. She is also the Director of Communication for Revelation Wellness. You can read more from Sarah on Instagram @sarahfmartin

Time for some #workoutwednesday fun.

Join Katrina in a cardio dance workout titled, “This Is The Way, Walk In It.” In addition to some holy sweating, your heart will come alive in this worship-filled movement. For more great workouts like this, join us over at RevWellTV, for as little as $10/month! Click HERE for more information.

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11 Responses

  1. thank you. The tank top issue is a problem for me. I can relate to the problem. I would not buy or wear a tank top until I started with Wellness Revelation. Now I wear them and feel good about it. I’m not where I need to be but that’s ok. For me its a journey some days I’m better than others.

  2. Girl, I just love you! THIS! YES! I am so thankful for you and proud of you! For so long I wouldn’t wear certain clothes like tank tops. Some days are still better than others…some days I cringe but I do it anyway because I know if I don’t, then I will just be giving in to the enemy. You are right…it’s a day by day process…sometimes minute by minute process to gain that FREEDOM! Thank you for sharing this…it just helps me to keep pushing forward and casting off the lies that the enemy throws my way!

  3. Thank you Sarah for these amazing truths! I also hesitate to wear tanks and shorts due to a hereditary skin condition that looks less than favorable. I went through Platoon 19, and didn’t want to wear a tank at first , but felt the freedom to do so. Some old insecurities have crept in, so I appreciate the reminder and will get those tanks back on and feel the freedom Christ has for me!

  4. Thank you for sharing Sarah what others are afraid to even feel or realize.
    Even as a fitness professional for 30 years, but still a work in progress recovering from many things as God prunes, cuts off, molds, and shapes me, when you said, “What if in our obsessing over the covering and camouflaging, we have turned our focus and maybe even worship toward…ourselves?” It made me think about how I am always wanting to hide my legs mainly because of my skin heading south. I make jokes that if I could just go around walking on my hands my body would be perfect. LOL.
    You put a whole new light on how it’s still in a way of worshiping or being consumed of something that isn’t God.
    Great stuff!!!

  5. Yes!!! Wow. All. Of. This. I’m still tearing down the idol of myself. At the beginning of the year when He told me my word is worship, I had this romantic idea of me dancing and singing to Him all year. HOWEVER the very first thing He is addressing with me is death to self. Which is this very thing that you’re writing about – the idol of myself. Thank you for your bravery in exposing your soul in writing this and exposing your arms in a tank top! All goodness. So much goodness. ❤️

  6. Thank you for putting my experience into words!!! For me, it was my legs – specifically my knees….the enemy is crafty, but God reigns superior and breaks all chains!!! You have written this blogpost so well – may the Lord use this message, your story, to free captives!!!

  7. Love this, Sarah! Thank you for sharing your heart. And the workout looks like fun! I will have to purchase some, now that we are in a more spacious financial place. Love you!

  8. OMG, YES, YES and more YES!! This is so me!! I seriously don’t do tank tops, but now I will look with different eyes. Thank you so much for sharing and striking a cord in me.

  9. Sarah, thank you so much for your openness and vulnerability. This spoke so deeply to me and is something I’ve needed to hear for probably a very long time. I haven’t worn shorts since I was 13 (I’m 35 now!) and have been hiding and covering my body in a way that had nothing to do with modesty, and everything to do with shame. I have put my obsession with my body far above my obsession with the God who created and loves me. And that absolutely needs to change. I have two sweet precious daughters now, and I don’t want them growing up with shame, but with freedom. I am going to read your words over and over until I can get it to really sink in!! Thank you!

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