It’s What’s Inside That Matters

This past week I did a little paint project on my bedroom furniture.

Beforehand the nightstand and dresser were the drab brown color in the photo below and the bed platform was a dark brown with whitewash over it.

I don’t have pictures of everything before painting them because I always get too impatient and excitedly start a project and then think about taking a “before picture” after the fact, hence the reason I only have the pre-painted dresser pic.

We leave for vacation to Texas in about a week and I made sure a stop at Magnolia Market in Waco is on our itinerary.

For those who don’t know, Magnolia Market is basically a shopping center owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines who were the home renovation gurus of the show Fixer-Upper so the market was inspired off of their creative mindsets.

Taking in one of the Gaines’ popular and growing establishments is right up my alley. I love, love, love home renovations, building projects, seeing before and after results. To me these things just feel like a breath of fresh air.

I’m reminded of the Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”

Doesn’t that word “new” sound motivational and refreshing?

I want to dig a little deeper though for this devotional today…because while I thought I was going to focus on the topic of a ‘fresh new look’ …when I was studying this morning I came across a verse from Colossians 3:12 and God pointed me in a different direction to reflect on instead.

My bedroom furniture may have a new look on the outside but opening any of the drawers I’m still going to find the same articles of clothing inside. Those dresser drawers still serve the same purpose as they did before painting them, and that’s what matters. The only reason I need those pieces of furniture is because of what’s inside. Painted or not, the point is my clothes are held purposefully inside.

Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

According to that verse what truly matters is what’s on the inside, showing outwardly.

Let’s not miss the true beauty of those words.

When we consider our own personal appearance the best features that should show aren’t Maybelline’s sky high mascara plastered to our lashes, nor Mary Kay’s flashiest red lipstick for our pout…and fellas it’s not all about growing an epic Grizzly Adams beard, BUT instead our best representation of our outer-self should be that of “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Those attributes weave in as part of the fabric of our being as we make a daily conscious effort to live more like Christ. We are called to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Those should show greatest on our outside image.

After coming across that verse from Colossians and spending time studying over it, sure my newly painted bedroom furniture may be charming but the clothes inside hold more significance. And more so, when I consider how this verse applies to myself, those things pale greatly in comparison to the importance of how I clothe myself from the inside out in a Jesus-pointing, spiritual way. May my best look portray His attractive characteristics.

Sweet weekend blessings to you all!❤️

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

32 thoughts on “It’s What’s Inside That Matters”

  2. I love painting and decorating, too! And yes, how right you are about the inside being most important. ❤️ I pray daily for my inner self to look more and more like Jesus’ gentle and kind character. Have a blessed day! ❤️

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  3. Your DIY painting looks fantastic! Great job and even more so, great Bible verse and message. It’s food for thought as I get ready each morning, to remember what is most important. Blessings on you Alicia! ❤️

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    1. Thank you! Ya that particular paint is amazing, and quick drying too..similar to chalk paint.
      I usually need a daily reminder for what’s most important!!! Otherwise I get distracted.😬

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  4. What an amazing reminder. I worry so much about what other people think of me. This includes my outward appearance, my actions, and my words. But I need only to remember to clothe myself in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Thanks for this encouraging post. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🌸💕

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    1. I hope to continue to reflect on this verse daily, so good for my soul!!! Hopefully every time I go to my dresser to pull something out I will think of clothing myself in “Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

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  6. Oh, I love this!! “May my best look portray His attractive characteristics.” Spot on! I love using word pictures like you do – analogies. They stick in my brain and this one certainly will. Thank you! And enjoy your trip to Texas. 🙂

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  7. Wonderful post Ali! Yep, it’s definitely what’s on the inside that counts. God judges the heart not our outward appearance. It’s fun to get creative with our homes and out personal appearance, but it’s our character that points to who we are and who we serve and represent. ❤❤❤❤

    By the way, I love your home. You are so gifted in the crafty and homemaking department. Actually you are so talented in so many areas. Thanks for sharing your heart and your home. ❤❤❤ They’re both inspiring.

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    1. Thank you Tina for your sweet words of encouragement and for reading!!
      Have you done any crafts lately, I know you have some mad skills with polymer.😉

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    1. Thank you!! Actually this was a color choice for our kitchen cabinets last year and my husband liked it a lot but I didn’t… soooo since I didn’t use it on the cabinets last year I kept it out of guilt and then used it on the bedroom furniture and I don’t mind it but would’ve rather used gray.
      Thanks for reading Michelle, I always look forward to talking decor and renovations with you!😉

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  11. Amen. May we continue to be beautified on the inside so that his sweet aroma radiates on the outside, affecting those that we come into contact with in a positive way, bringing glory and honor to his most holy name. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Love what you have done, the blue cupboard looks amazing well done. Very good job on the DIY.
    Thank you for the reminder, love this message. No matter how good the clothes look on us, if they are too tight or itchy, we will never feel comfortable enough to enjoy it.
    God bless you and enjoy the holiday when it comes. xoxo

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  13. This is so good! You are God’s masterpiece, beautiful inside and out! 💕 your post reminds me of 2 Corinthians 4:16 ~ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

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