Today's reading

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. –1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV

December 4, 2023

Inside Out

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. –1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV

Popcorn is amazing. Not only does it taste great, it imitates life. Inside every kernel is moisture. When that moisture is heated, it turns into steam. The steam causes the outer shell to explode, and delicious popcorn appears. In many ways, we are each like that small kernel. With hard outer shells but with souls that can be filled with the fire of God’s Spirit, we can experience a breakthrough. We discover that, like the kernel of corn, life is best lived inside out. When a kernel pops, the outside shell is broken, and what was inside the kernel emerges. Just as a bag of kernels is significantly heavier than the same bag filled with popcorn, when we live life inside out, we experience freedom. And like the popped kernel, we feel as light as feathers. The weight of the world is lifted. Living inside out, not holding onto the things that weigh us down, frees us to be who we were created to be. Our outer shell will not remain, but our inner Spirit-filled soul will live eternally. Living life inside out is amazing, yet so simple even a kernel of corn can do it.

prayer focuses

Father, help me to live inside out. Free me from my hard outer shell.

Thank You, Father, for using the smallest things to teach me the greatest lessons.

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about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.