Primping

Jer 4:30  And you, what do you think you're up to? Dressing up in party clothes, Decking 
yourselves out in jewelry, putting on lipstick and rouge and mascara! Your primping goes for 
nothing. You're not going to seduce anyone. They're out to kill you! (Message

Such a precious, wonderful sight- that first time she found Momma's makeup kit. 
Black and blue coloring here and there across her face, along with a thick dusting of powder 
covered a look of satisfaction at the alterations to her appearance. There was also this 
inquiring sort of a look that was seeking approval and praise for her obviously enhanced 
beauty, to which, of course, there was given a showering of encouraging comments. 
Although this was just a 'grown-up' game of childhood, her primping would eventually 
become a daily routine. A need to cover up, highlight and enhance would come from this 
growing desire to gain approval for her appearance and, along with approval, acceptance of 
this attractive person she would like to be. Her skill in doing so would increase, along with 
confidence in her ability to gain the affection that she wanted so much. What she didn't 
realize was that she was being seduced by the very notion of her seductive ability, and those 
that she had appeared to have won over with her beauty had really gained possession of her 
soul and her life for their own consumption and profit. This beauty that had been her 
perceived treasure and endearing quality had become the means by which she had become 
entrapped in a business and way of life from which she could find no satisfaction or escape. 
While this is the tragic story of countless women the world over that are bound in this 
trap of seductive deception, it is also the story of many of both genders that have been drawn 
away and captured by their treasure of another nature. Whether brains, skill, talent, 
personality or wealth, there is a common deception for many that if their assets can just be 
presented in their best light, there will be acceptance of their person and the embrace their 
soul longs for. No matter the gift, no matter the ability or appearance, the world that would 
appear to be affected by their seduction is actually entrapping them in its own. Even for those 
who would seem to have 'made it' and emit the glow of success, there is a bondage to their 
achievement that requires the price of their soul for the experience of their 'acceptance'. They 
may feel that they have won over their target, but in reality their target has actually bound 
them in a hold from which they have no escape. 
Though it would appear that there is no way out of this death hold, there is a Hero 
that comes to shower praise and acceptance upon the treasure that requires no primping, just 
surrender. The acceptance that Jesus offers and the freedom He brings aren't based upon the 
presentation of our assets at all. It is the heart that He longs to embrace and bring liberty 
instead of bondage. It is the heart that He is drawn to, no matter how it is adorned or made 
up. And, it is in the presentation of the heart to Him that unlimited satisfaction and fulfillment 
is found. He will never use and discard our greatest treasure. He will only surround it with 
the love and encouragement that will ensure its completed purpose. No longer will there be a 
need to fulfill the demands of our 'gift' for the sake of our acceptance. 

Rom 8:1  With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who 
enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black 
cloud.
Rom 8:2  A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has 
magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of 
sin and death.