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| Louise Brooks |
A few weeks ago, the Golden Globe Awards were on television and
simultaneously the “fashion experts” (and I use that term loosely) began critiquing
every attendee and what they were wearing.
For days, the critiquing criticizing went on and
on…and on. And on.
Endless commentary on every aspect of every dress,
hairstyle, suit, and shoe. Often rude television personalities picking apart
those on the red carpet…and telling viewers who looked beautiful and who did
not.
Wait…
Who said the fashion world and its critics get to
decide how beautiful is defined?
Not God.
He didn’t say If you
look like this, you’re beautiful. And He didn’t choose a handful of people
and assign them the task of determining who looks beautiful and who does not.
He didn’t create us all to fit a “this is how beautiful
looks” mold. In fact, if He wanted us all to look the same, He would have just
made us that way. Like little cookie-cutter people with no individuality.
But He didn’t. He made every one of us unique and beautiful
in our own way. With our own looks and characteristics. Our own personalities
and interests…talents and skills.
Our own selves we bring to the everyday world.
We may try to earn others’ approval with our looks, how we
act, and what we do, but thankfully, that’s not how God works.
We can’t earn God’s love, and He’s not comparing us to each other. He created each of us just the
way He wanted—in His own image.
In. His. Image.
I wonder what He thinks when we judge ourselves by what
others say is beautiful, instead of what He calls beautiful?
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT
The beauty that comes from within.
True beauty—inside and out—is from God. From His Spirit
living within our hearts and His Light shining out for all the world to see.
What the world calls beautiful will fade. It will change
with the next whim or fashion design.
But God’s beauty will never fade. It can only shine
brighter.
And when His Light shines from within us? That is what makes
us beautiful.
How do you define beauty?
In Christ,
Linking up with Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus,
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday, Winsome Wednesday, and WholeHearted Wednesdays
We may try to earn others’ approval with our looks, how we act, and what we do, but thankfully, that’s not how God works.
ReplyDeleteYES!
He makes all things beautiful in his time. Isn't that a verse? or is it a song?
Coming over from the Faith Jam, good to meet you!
I too define beauty as the inner beauty shining out. I too blogged about it, with three examples of how I learned to see (and look) beauty(iful).
I live in Santa Barbara, a town filled with beautiful people and hollywood people and old money people and it's sometimes a struggle just to be real but I know that real is beautiful, so I keep reminding myself.
"True beauty—inside and out—is from God. From His Spirit living within our hearts and His Light shining out for all the world to see." Beautiful reminder. Thank you, Laura.
ReplyDeleteWhoooooooYEAH! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!! I totally agree with this post (if you didn't gather that already.) Such powerful and true words, Laura. Thank you for this and thanks for linking up with #EverydayJesus
ReplyDelete"He created each of us just the way He wanted—in His own image."
ReplyDeleteand He sees what He has made
and He calls it good
who are we to disagree?
I see beauty in your words, and I am encouraged. Thanks for sharing this post with Thought-Provoking Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. This is such truth. Stopping by from Thought Provoking Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that God will never judge me by my outward appearance. He is more concern with my heart. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI love how you transitioned from the world's view of beauty with the Golden Globes to God's view. There are many so called beautiful people who are not always so beautiful on the inside. How I hope that our youth would learn more about that. How thankful I am that God looks at the heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love,
Debbie
A physically beautiful person can mar her appearance severely by having a bad attitude! I think that beauty comes from within! Have you noticed that they eyes seem to tell the truth? Maybe that is why "haughty eyes" are listed as one of the things God doesn't like. All of us can become beautiful by allowing God to transform us from the inside out! And the beauty of a heart shaped by God will never fade!
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura, it's nice to meet you :) I've been poking around your blog, and have enjoyed it very much. I'm your newest follower. I found you through Tracy over at My Daily Walk in His Grace!
ReplyDeleteI think when we have "eyes to see" we can see people as they truly are - the beauty of His spirit shines through, as you say. Thoughtful post, thank you for sharing! Blessings!