And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us . . . (Psa 90:17)
Our society is going crazy with trying to be beautiful. I even came across a channel on TV the other day that showed someone having plastic surgery. (I didn’t watch much because I get kind of woozy with those kinds of things.) You wonder what some celebrities really look like. And then there’s those botched jobs like Michael Jackson . . . ugh! But even for the regular people like us you can tuck it, suction it, inject it, pull it back, roll it over, and do any kind of combination like Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. I think this is getting out of hand . . . or foot . . . or . . . you know what I mean!
The Bible says true beauty is of the heart: (1 Sam 16:7) But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
The Bible encourages women especially to make the interior the highest priority: (1 Pet 3:3-4) Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel; 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Now this doesn’t mean we should neglect our bodies and start an ugly campaign! The Bible says our bodies are special property and should be treated accordingly: (1 Cor 6:19-20) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
The next time you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, think about this scripture: You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you (Song 4:7). Jesus thinks you’re beautiful and perfect. Believe what He says about you and don’t be taken by what the world thinks is attractive (Rom 12:1-2). Let the beauty of the Lord shine upon you from the inside out. Then you will be able to grace this needy world with the love and beauty of our Lord. How beautiful is our Savior and the one who has Him living inside!
Louie