Beauty From God
By Sarah P.
My face is red.
As I'm writing this, I have a burn.
My family and I went to the beach this morning, and then I used some cleansers
on my face: on top of a sunburn. The result was this giant, red, welt-looking burn
across my face. I don't know if you've ever had one of these, but they are really
unattractive. If someone was to tell me, "Sarah, you look beautiful today!"
I wouldn't take them seriously. I feel red, tired, and ugly. I feel like my
burn is ruining my face. I feel like I can't even go out in public! Don't we
all have times like that? Your hair is having a bad day, you can't find your
favorite shirt... the list goes on and on. These times are definitely
stressing. They can seem overwhelming. Yet today I came across this Bible
verse:
"For it was You who created my
inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well." -Psalm 139:13-14, HCSB
The Bible says over and over again
that God's creation is beautiful. That fact doesn't change on days when we
don't feel pretty. The Bible doesn't tell us, "You'll be beautiful if you
lose about ten pounds, wear this brand of makeup, and dye your hair a different
color." Actually, the Bible tells us,
"...God created human beings in
his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created
them." (Genesis 1:27, NLT)
The truth is that God has made each
and every one of us, and we are beautiful. We were made in His image. Don't
compare yourself to anyone's standards except God's. You don't have to be skinnier
or taller or have bigger eyes and a clearer complexion to be beautiful. You are
already beautiful; you are God's own masterpiece.
"For we are God's masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus..." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Now, as I write this conclusion two
days later, I can tell you that I’m okay. My burn is history. I'm not even red
anymore! You know what? On the first day I wrote, I did
venture outside of my room. I went
to Wal-Mart with my family and then out for ice cream. No one stared at me. No
one laughed or pointed at my face. I was tomato red and yet still managed to
have pleasant interactions with several people. Why was that possible? Could
those people somehow see beyond my red face when I thought it was the end of
the world? I think the answer is yes. Do you wonder why it works like that?
Here’s the truth: beauty is more than the outside. Although we are beautiful on
the outside, as Christian young women we are beautiful on the inside. The
Spirit of God is living in us, and He gives us inner beauty. Jesus should shine
through us constantly.
"You are the light of the
world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14,
NLT)
The next time you have a bad day;
remember that this light is shining through you. Jesus is in your heart! What
could be more beautiful than that?
