In “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams, the toy rabbit is having a conversation with the toy horse on how you become real:
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
In the sentimentality of this story, there lies a truth, we become real when we are loved.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2: 4-5 [NIV]
The beauty of Jesus’ teaching is that he turns religion on its head. Religions tell us, you have to change, grow and be good in order to be loved – in order to be right with God in whatever format that particular religion frames it. But Jesus tells us, we are loved and we receive his grace so we can change, grow and be good.
God’s grace gives us the freedom to face the truth about ourselves, knowing we are fully loved and accepted by him. He calls us to come to him with everything, unafraid, like a child to a parent, in total trust that we are loved, so that he can help us experience freedom. Real love involves vulnerability, “by the time you are real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all; because once you are real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand”.
Father, let me become real through your love.
Guy Mowbray
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