Exfoliate Your Life

Enjoy a post from my friend, Tristie Fisher.  Tristie and I were roommates in college.  Back then she was a zany woman with more energy than 10 of us combined.  Today… not much has changed.  She’s a spiritual stud with wisdom to share.  Enjoy… then share some comment love below.

Exfoliate Your Life

Maybe it’s turning 40, I really don’t know.  In my twenties, I noticed clothing and hair styles.  Now, in my early forties I notice skin.  How clear is her complexion?  How many wrinkles does she have?  Does she look older than me? or worse does she look younger than me?

Years ago, I gave it up in one word… GENETICS.  It’s not Beauty Products!  It’s just plain old genetics… you play the cards you are dealt… what your mama looks like, you will look like.

Now, I still take care of my skin… I appropriately cleanse and moisturize.  But, the one thing I did this year was that word none of us knew before 1999… I exfoliate.

To EXFOLIATE is “to wash your face in such a manner as to remove old dead skin cells”…so that fresh renewed skin can show through and say,

“World, look at my young skin… I am as young as I feel!”

…Mmmm, well, maybe that’s not what we meant.

What do I mean by all this?  I’ll tell you that I do  notice when I exfoliate. My skin seems clearer and cleaner and generally feels better. As I “exfoliated” tonight, I thought….

What does this look like in my life? How do you “exfoliate your life”?

It seems clear…..

1. Wash your face…..Cleanse yourself of any (and all) hidden sin and plain old “you know what you are doing is wrong” stuff. Forgive where you need to forgive, confess when you need to confess….this applies to people and God. ONLY heavenly soap can do the trick. (I John 1:9)
2. Exfoliate….this is the next step of the process. Some exfoliating products can actually hurt your face the first time you use them….why? Because there are little granules in the product DESIGNED to do just that…hurt you to heal you. Those rough little granules are going to smooth the dead skin away. How can that apply to our lives?  What things is God using in my life to “exfoliate” my life? These things hurt, they sting..but my faith is a whole lot smoother when He’s done. (Isa. 43:19)
3. Moisturize…. My skin needs moisture. My favorite products are those that “keep on moisturizing even while you sleep”.  Isn’t that amazing? My soul needs moisture. No dry, crispy faith for me! But, it needs water…living water. Water that keeps on flowing and bubbling up over in my soul. I not only need (but must have to survive) that constant reapplication of His Word. For me, every morning and every evening. This product actually delivers!

As you prepare for bed this evening, perhaps even this seemingly benign routine may bring blessing. As the soap cleanses, as deadness is washed away, and refreshment comes….maybe the Lord will use this ritual in a way to make it worshipful. That is my prayer for me and for you!

Tristie resides in College Station, Tx, with her husband (Brian), son (Ben) and daughter (Joy).  Brian serves as the Sr. Pastor of Grace Bible Church.

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