When it comes to physical appearance, we’re constantly bombarded with advice. And truth be told, the suggestions found on magazine covers, in TV commercials, and voiced by store clerks—among other sources—bother me. They’re all trying to nudge me to pursue that perfect look.
One blogger wrote: “For many young men and women, our physical appearance has become the measuring stick against which our entire value and worth are assessed by. But let’s get real: As detrimental as this value system can be, it’s really hard to just ‘walk away’ from that measuring stick when everything around you is pointing you in that direction.”
James reminds us of an important mirror that gives us a true view of ourselves. It’s the Word of God (James 1:23). In Psalm 139:14, the psalmist reminds us that we’re part of God’s marvelous workmanship. Just think about that! The One who made you and me is the wisest, most skillful, and most creative Person in the entire universe! So no matter what size, weight, or shape we are, God sees us as His creation. Beautiful. Created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).
Regina Franklin in her book Who Calls Me Beautiful? wrote, “The moment we were created we became God’s most precious and coveted work of art—chosen, guarded, and loved. . . . We are ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ made because we have access to one of the greatest intimacies humans can know—a personal relationship with God.”
So while it’s great to “look good,” let’s not pursue it at the cost of our relationship with God. An hour in the gym and an hour in the front of the mirror but zero hours with God will not lead to true beauty.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 2:25-49
More:
Read 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 31:30, and 1 Peter 3:3-4 for biblical wisdom that should shape our attitude about outward appearance.
Next:
How does the knowledge that you are God’s marvelous creation affect your decision on diet, fashion, exercise, beauty products, and more? What does He consider to be true beauty?
alli on May 30, 2013 at 8:03 am
I think amy carmicheal said if God gave her blue eyes instead of brown she would not have been able to minister in india bc no one where she was had blue eyes id b a dead giveaway. God shapes for a reason even though we do it how silly would it be for the flower to brag about its color when God gave it so to protect it from predators. To brag inn something we neither created nor had a role in making is kind of silly. God made the trees flowers etc with a specific purpose to worship the creation instead of the one who created is giving credit to someone who did nothing. The real beauty is in the one who came up with the idea in the first place.
alli on May 30, 2013 at 8:06 am
Every person manifests an aspect of Gods glory so to say your aspect is better then hers or worse is well kind of silly. Everyone should stay in their lane
regina franklin on May 30, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Well said, Poh Fang! God is giving me the opportunity to walk out this truth in new ways as we move into a new community with its own preconceived ideas of success. God is the author and perfecter of our faith–and our very being!
winn collier on May 31, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Have you noticed how true it is that a person’s beautiful soul can fashion a beautiful countenance? The measuring sticks we tend to use don’t have the capacity to factor this in.
ruth o'reilly-smith on June 3, 2013 at 12:44 am
Poh Fang, our pastor was speaking about this at the weekend. The great identity crisis in society, how we get our value from what we achieve and how this thinking is what we often see in the church. When I accept who I am in Christ without the need to perform, I can accept others as they are.