Chapter Six - The Package vs. The Gift

I have been guilty and I am sure that many others also have judged a person from their outer appearance. If a person is well groomed and dressed in expensive clothing and jewelry, one typically believes that they have their life together. But do they? You have only seen the surface. Upon further examination you may find that your impression of the immaculate person is totally inaccurate. I remember years ago reading an article in a national magazine that stuck with me. The article was concerning a single woman executive. By the world’s standards, the woman had it all together! She was a high-ranking executive in a Fortune 500 company with a six-figure salary. The woman executive had a designer wardrobe, an expensive car, and a home in an exclusive neighborhood. She was among the trendsetters on the social scene. The lady executive was at the top of the social ladder. But with everything worldly to live for, she took her own life. Why would someone with all that going for themself take their own life? I would read further to find out that the lady executive had been exposed, her life, as she knew it was ruined. The “perfect” package had been soiled. An envious co-worker had found out the lady executive’s secret and revealed it to the authorities. The immaculate and talented lady executive had lied about her scholastic credentials on her job application. The lady executive had never graduated from college. The executive was aware that there was an investigation underway concerning her application and the life she had created would now be destroyed. She felt as though she had nothing to live for, so she took her own life. The tragic story of the lady executive made me think about her focus. Outside perfection taking precedence over inner growth. The lady executive had spent so much time climbing the social ladder, however she neglected to release and advance her inner spirit. If only she had taken the time to discover the inner spirit, her true identity. If only she knew God accepts us as we are. If only she knew just how much God loved her. If only she knew that God gave His only begotten son so that she could have eternal life. If only… But, instead she took her life that Jesus died for and in return risked eternal death.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV - Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Proverbs 14:12 KJV - There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

God’s Word tells us in Hosea 4:6 that people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. Through my experiences I have encountered people whose outer package (the wrapping) hid what was going on inside. People who seemed to have it all together have surprised me when later I would see them stumble and at times even fall. These people with independent spirits could not deal with the world seeing their failures so they retreated into themselves. Proverbs 16:18 KJV - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 1 John 2:16 AMP - For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things] -- these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].

I can understand the independent spirit because I once was an independent spirit. I know the pressure that exists when you have self-control instead of God control. Releasing control to anyone or anything seems unbearable because you leave yourself open to do and follow the person or thing that has control over you. You may not be able to control outside forces, your job, other people or situations. The one thing you can control, is yourself. With the loss of self-control and the lack of spiritual knowledge, one may feel that there is nothing left. My package may have seemed together on the outside but the inner spirit was locked away waiting to be released. It was not until I received true salvation that I was able to let the independent spirit go and let Jesus Christ take His place as the head of my life. No longer was I taking control over my life and it was a relief! By releasing the spirit within, I received peace of mind and body. John 14: 27 TLB - “I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.