natural beauty, inner beauty.
i was in 1 Peter 3 today and came across a passage that i feel has deep underlying beauty to it. it's directed towards women but i'm leaving this post open as a message and challenge to all those who care to read it - regardless of gender.
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, 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. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (1 Peter 3:3-5)
we (humans) express ourselves in many ways, for some people things like flashy clothing and jewelry, hair and cosmetics, body modifications, etc. are used to "represent" ourselves, likes and personalities. are these things really nessesary? most certainly these things do not define us nor do they even create us. they really are just another layer WE (not God) add to our God given flesh. it's like frosting a cake. the cake starts out bare and pure then we add to it: colors and flavors and textures... these things though, they are not used to please God but to please ourselves. some of us become so attached to these things are forms of "self confidence" or "self assurance" that we don't know how to live without them. one must take into factor though that we did not always live with them. the usage and/or dependency of these things developed over time through continued usage. the more you rely on these things the more you feel you need them, the more you use them and the more dependent you become with them. see the cycle?
today i challenge you to break the cycle - if even just for a day. true confidence is found in Christ not in material items. God looks at the heart, always. surrender something today, what shall it be? try going out in very basic clothes or freeing your face from cosmetics... even if it just means skipping the lipstick, it's a start! i size of the step is not important in this challenge, the strength and willpower is. trust that things will be okay no matter what because you have God guiding you and nothing is wrong with or about God!
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
ps. you know you love comfy clothes and a fresh clean face! how great it feels to just relax and be. breathe!
heart to heart: what will you surrender today?
