Kayla's Phone

A young friend gives her mobile phone a makeover and I learn a few lessons on change. It could be frightening, painful or rewarding. The attitude makes the difference.


Kayla sat on the floor in a world of her own. I could see she was sticking sequins on the casing of her mobile phone. “What are you doing?” I asked her, surprised. “Making it look better” was her mumbled reply. I said I thought it looked good to begin with but, “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!”

I must admit that with each passing day, Kayla’s phone looked better and better, and so original. Watching her work reminded me very much of the way God works with us: patiently, steadily, with confident trust in what we can become. Kayla worked a section each day, putting away phone and supplies at the end of each session. When asked why the makeover could not be done in one go, the young craftswoman replied, with a wisdom beyond her years, “The glue has to dry a little at a time. If you do it all at once, it doesn’t dry properly. The sequins will come off and the end results won’t be so good.”

Like Kayla’s phone casing, each one of us is a heavenly makeover in progress. We may not be our best selves at present but God sees the end from the beginning. He knows the greatness He has put inside us, and works patiently but steadily to bring us to full potential. If we give Him our cooperation, we become all we can be. Though others may lose patience, not seeing our inner beauty, we can count on God to finish the job, making all things beautiful in His time.

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Devotion

Day One
Though the writer thought Kayla’s phone looked good to begin with, Kayla promised that it could look better. “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!” Likewise, we often think we are just fine as we are. Therefore, when God starts to re-make us, we protest. Change can be uncomfortable, even frightening. However, we must remember who the Changer is - Our Father, God! Will He ever hurt us? No! All His thoughts and actions toward us are for good. Is God trying to fix some areas
of your life? If you let go and trust Him you will not regret it. Remember, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Proverbs 3:5-8, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 56:3

Reflection:
In what areas of my life is God inviting me to change? How do I feel about making the change? Can I count on God to be there while I’m growing, or am I afraid that I’ll be all by myself?

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you love me just as I am. I thank you that because you love me, you want to help me become all that I can be. I trust that you work all things for good and I will not be afraid. I surrender myself into your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, amen

Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
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Day Two
Have you ever wondered why it seems to take forever to become what God wants us to be? Do you wonder why He does not do the makeover all in one go? Well, in the first place, the length of time depends on us, not God. We are the ones who complain and baulk when it is time to make a change. Remember the Israelites’ forty-year journey that should have taken eleven days? Their whining and rebellion was the cause of that. The lessons they could have learned through obedience took forty years instead of eleven days. God waits patiently until whenever we are ready. Because He understands us He teaches “line upon line, precept upon precept,” not all in one go. So let us be patient, willing and obedient, and watch God’s plan unfold.
Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 28:10, Hebrews 5:8-10

Reflection:
What attitudes will help me through this process (Psalm 40:8, Luke 22:42)? What attitudes could hinder me (Isaiah 45:9, Philippians 2:14)? What influences will help me (Rom12:2)? What influences could hinder me (1Corinthians 15:33)? What can I do to get more positive influence and support through my growing period (Hebrews 10:25)? What can I do to remove or neutralize the negative influences that hinder growth (2Corinthians 6:17a)? What can I learn on my journey (Deut 8:2-3)?

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, I surrender my will to yours. Have your way in all of my life. I open my heart to your Spirit as you teach me your way. I am willing and obedient, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
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Day Three
Has the devil ever lied to you that you are worthless, a nobody, and would never amount to anything? Or that you are ugly and no one could ever want or love you? Have you known so much failure that you just don’t want to try anymore? Do you now believe that nothing good could become of you? If any one or any circumstance has ever said these things to you, they are lies from the devil. The devil knows that everything God has made is good, very good, and that includes you. You are wonderfully made by God and He has a beautiful plan for your life. Stop listening to the ugly words of the enemy who wants to destroy you. Spend more time listening to God. Faith comes by hearing, so make sure you hear the right words. As the refreshing rain of God’s word continues to water your soul you will blossom into the person God created you to be.
Genesis 1:31, Psalm 139: 13-14, Romans 10:17, 1John 4:10 (God has loved you since before you even knew Him), Hebrews 13:5b (God will never leave you), Zechariah 2:8 (You are precious to God, the apple of His eye).

Reflection:
What negative things have I believed about myself, my body, and my abilities? Now I know that God made me “fearfully and wonderfully,” “very good” and with much wisdom. (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:31, Psalm 104:24). I am not a chance-happening, a frivolous after-thought, unwanted, unplanned or a mistake. I am precious to God and important to His kingdom. I am part of His plan. I am equipped for my purpose. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will no longer pay any attention to negative words or thoughts.

Let us pray:
Thank you Dear Father for setting me free with the truth. Your truth will remain in me and bear fruit. I receive strength from you to stand strong through life’s trials. I take authority over all the lies the enemy has told me. I break their strongholds in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole