When I looked at the schedule and saw I had this section of the chapter to talk about with you ladies, I was ecstatic! I am pretty sure this is my favorite chapter. When I read, A Lady in Waiting years ago, I wrote down this sentence from page 61: From the time you wake in the morning until you go to bed at night, set your heart’s desire on exalting Him. This paper is sitting in my nightstand drawer. Every time I read that sentence I pray that I am able to do just what is says that day. Through the years I have learned what exactly it means to exalt God.
I have not always exalted God. In fact for three years of my life, my heart’s desire was not for God; it was for a man who I tried to make my God. I lived to honor this man, I lived for this man, from the time I woke up in the morning until I went to sleep at night I made this man a huge idol in my life. This was the absolute worst time in my life. He was very abusive, controlling, manipulative, and to put it simply, his heart’s desire was to destroy me and to sit back and watch in slow motion as he painfully ripped every single one of the pearls away I had received from God the day I accepted Him into my heart. The worst part was I could not defend these pearls he was taking so viciously from me, because I had no idea they existed.
When all I was left with was an empty strand where beautiful pearls once laid, it was my turn to add new pearls. Instead of adding God honoring pearls to that strand, it slowly started getting corrupted with ugly pearls of drunkenness, provocativeness, impurity, idolatry, outbursts of anger, carousing, anxieties, depression, and honestly I could probably go on and on. I did not know what God honoring qualities and character looked like for me. I saw it in other people, my sister and grandmother especially. They wore their pearl necklaces proud as they should, and I was happy for them and others who did just that, but I had lost all hope for myself. I truly believed it was too late for me. I never thought the day would come where I would wear the pearls God has been preparing for me.
I can very thankfully and happily say that today, and every day, I stand confident in the pearls that God has picked out just for me. I found them all, some I had to work so hard for, others he so graciously gave to me. One pearl on the strand I think I am most thankful for is, LOVE. There are no words this side of Heaven to describe to you the benefits and satisfaction in God’s love. This is one pearl I never have to work for. God’s love is there for me, even when my strand was covered with sin, His love was still there, on the other side of the clasp, but still, IT WAS THERE! One pearl I still struggle with is self-control. When I read this book, years ago, I wrote in the margin, WORK ON SELF CONTROL. For whatever reason I ignored that note since it was written years ago.
This is what I learned when I saw that note staring in my face the beginning of the week. We all have access to the God honoring qualities and likeness he teaches us about in the Bible. Yes, they are beautiful pearls. But, for whatever reason, we sell ourselves short. We believe the lie that we are not good enough for God’s best. We know of the qualities and pearls we can have in Christ, but we choose or settle for the qualities or pearls we have grown accustomed to in this world. We go for the dime store pearl necklace when waiting for us is the priceless one in Heaven.
Exalting God is when we put aside the dime store necklace we have felt comfortable with and set our eyes and hearts above to the ONE and only who will give us the pearls HE desires for us. Exalting God is when we let the Holy Spirit fill us with the pearls we are so deserving of from up above. Exalting God is when we praise Him and honor Him with the pearls he has provided us with to treasure on our “necklace of virtue”.
Let’s Pray:
Father God, I thank you and praise you so much for the priceless pearls that you have for each and every one of us. I pray that as we continue this study we strive to exalt you every moment of every day. I pray that each and every one of us on this journey is able trade in the dime store necklace for a necklace of virtue so graciously given to us by Your Spirit. Thank you for going along this journey with us. I pray our heart’s desire YOU alone. I pray all of these things in your precious name, Amen.
Your Assignment:
What is your heart’s desire? Spend some time today being honest with God about what pearls you have on your necklace. Tell Him what ones you want to remove, tell Him what ones you need help getting to their full potential. Think about what exalting God means, and desire to spend your days doing JUST THAT.
Love you ladies all a super bunch!!
Diane
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For the “Lady In Waiting” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!
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Have you accepted Christ into your heart? Is His Spirit living inside of you? If you have not, but would like to pray, please contact our prayer team at prayer@girlfriendscoffeehour.com . Someone from our prayer team is waiting to pray with you!
Great post Diane, I did this section during my quiet time today and wow, so many treasures in this one section alone. My book is full of notes and things I have underlined. We indeed settle for the cheap pearls instead of the priceless ones God wants us to wear. Meditating on this and praying that the Holy Spirit will reveal the bad strands that I need to remove.
Thank you Jackie, Yes there is so much to take away from this part of the chapter, do you see how I could have written a book on just this section of the chapter:)
Thank you for this post, DIane <3 God and I have a date to talk about just this today <3 🙂 I love your heart so much <3
Thank you Megan, have fun on your date:) Me and God have dates on the regular to talk about just this!!!! I never want to go back to those ugly pearls ever ever ever again!!!!!
You are one precious gem, Diane!
LOVE you Christi:):):)
Diane! Thanks for this beautiful post. I so love reading your heart and being able to nod and grin and at the growth I have seen in you over these past two years! What a blessing to know where you have been and where you are going in Christ! I know I still have many ugly decorations on my necklace that need to be removed and replaced with the Lord's perfect and beautiful pearls. Thanks sweetheart!
I am so blessed to have YOU apart of my life. Love you :):)
Diane – I am sitting here with a heavy heart and a hopeful heart at the same time. I relate so much to your post. My pearls have been ripped away one by one (before I even knew the Lord or what was mine), through rape, a physically abusive relationship and another verbally abusive relationship, from my childhood I never felt "good enough" and the pattern just continued. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding me that there are a beautiful strand of pearls waiting for me if only I will take them. I AM worthy. xo
Michelle- I see we come from a similar past, so happy that our past DOES NOT DEFINE US! The only thing that defines us is the amazing love of Jesus Christ. I am so glad that you are out of those relationships and are embracing one with God in Heaven:) YOU are worthy! Love you!