EXTREME MAKEOVER There was a television show that gained popularity here in the United States. Candidates agreed to all kinds of surgery to enhance their looks. From head to toe, surgeons put the candidates through 'extreme makeovers' and the end results were striking and positive. In past discussions about this show, I was amazed at how many people would take the opportunity, if selected, to have these makeovers. Paul said in Phil. 4:11 that he learned to be content in what ever circumstances that he was in. We never read in Scripture about Paul being discontent. In fact, Paul was a pretty amazing guy, enduring much more that we are called to endure. "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Messiah's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:10. In his letter to Timothy, Rabbi Sha'ul (Paul) states, "But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. (I Tim. 6:6-8) The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5). We are made in the image of God and in Him we have been made complete (Col. 2:10). Even though the world continually tries to manipulate us and entice us to be conformed to the world, if we are to be conformed at all, it is to `be into the image of Yeshua Jesus (Rom 8:29). Do you know where we acquire a radiant countenance? By sitting in the presence of the LORD. And it came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. So, when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Ex. 34:29-30. The Bible tells us that grey hair is a crown (Prov. 16:31). We are not our own, we have been bought with a price and we are to glorify God in our body (I Cor 6:20). Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 5:16). Yeshua Jesus never glorified Himself (Heb. 5:5) but He was made perfect. But how was He made perfect? Through suffering. In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation Heb. 5:7-9 Yeshua was made perfect, not through plastic surgery, but through suffering. God is in the restoration business. Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. Job 33:26 He restores my soul - Psalm 23:3 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation - Psalm 51:12 Restore us to Thee - Lam. 5:21 Yeshua restored a man's hand (Mark 3:5), not through plastic surgery, but through the miracle of God's touch. There are times of discontent for all of us. The enemy wants us to focus on that which we do not have, and he tempts us with the things of the world. If he can "take" Yeshua Jesus, he can "take' you and me (Matt 4:5) The key is realizing in Yeshua Jesus is our reward. In Him only, do we find contentment. I conclude with the following. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams "What is Real? asked the Rabbit. "Does it mean having things buzz inside of you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes." said the Skin Horse. "When you are Real, you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?" he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once." said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby." "But these things don't matter at all." Skin Horse said. "Because once you are Real, you can't be ugly except to the people who don't understand."
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