What do you think is beautiful to God? We women concern ourselves quite a bit with beauty, don’t we? I think Jesus is into beauty, too!
We are spending the day camping with some friends, and what an absolutely beautiful day this has been! We went for a run by the lake, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty all around. A heron swooped down and lighted near the bank as a gentle breeze floated past us. The sway of the trees, the warmth of the sun, and the deep blue of the sky were all reminders that our Creator has the monopoly on beauty.
If you are anything like me, I am deeply moved by beautiful things. I love to surround myself with colors – pillows, throws, candles, artwork – anything that makes me smile.
I think Jesus is moved by beauty, too. Ecclesiastes 3:11a says “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (NIV)
You know what I believe God takes and makes most beautiful? An ugly, sinful heart that surrenders to Him.
We spend so much time trying to be beautiful, feel beautiful, and look beautiful. In a world where selfie is actually a word, our culture is obsessed with what we see in the mirror (or camera.) And then we come to a verse like this one:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
I used to be intimidated by this verse, because I thought, “With my propensity for talking, I surely don’t have a gentle or quiet spirit!” But then I realized two things about this verse. First, it says a quiet spirit, not a quiet person! My talkative nature is the personality God gave me and He can use it for His glory. I now see a quiet spirit as the opposite of an unruly spirit. It’s not about whether I talk a lot or not; it’s about whether I submit my spirit (and mouth) to God or not. When we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, His Spirit is working through us to reveal His beauty to those around us.
Second, He doesn’t care if we braid our hair or wear gold jewelry! He just says that’s not where our beauty should come from. What if we spent as much time seeking to make our inner selves beautiful through His Spirit, as we spend trying to make our outer selves beautiful?
So how do we do that?
“Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14 (NIV)
In other words, spend more time with Jesus and you will be beautiful! That’s the beauty that makes Jesus smile. And He is the Author of everything beautiful!
So the next time you look in the mirror and fret over what you see, remember to clothe yourself in the One who makes all things beautiful. His beauty in you is all the world needs to see. Who knew it was that easy or inexpensive to get a makeover!!