I’m sure if we were to do a survey and ask woman what they
considered beauty to be, they would start off by describing physical
attributes: long wavy hair, white teeth, brown eyes, nice cheekbones, plumped
lips and a body with curves that would catch anyone’s attention from afar. They may even describe beauty as a
woman with the latest designer clothing, handbags, and shoes. While all of these attributes are
beautiful indeed, do they truly exemplify the definition of beauty?
Sometime last week during my devotional time, I decided to
read Proverbs 31, which talks about being a virtuous woman. I’ve read this scripture several times
before, but last week this scripture had a profound affect on me. When I read Proverbs 31:30, God began
speaking to me about what he considers true beauty to be. The scripture says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” I read this and realized that a lot
of us woman have the wrong idea of what beauty is. A lot of woman are depressed and have low self-esteem because
they do not feel beautiful. They may not be happy with their outer appearance because
they don’t have a particular hair length, their eyes aren’t a certain color, or
they’re not the weight that they want to be. But this is not what God sees beauty as. Here in this scripture it says that
this type of beauty, what I call the worldly definition of beauty, will fade
away. This type of beauty doesn’t
last forever. Does this mean that
we’re doomed and that God intends for us not to live beautifully forever? Not at all!
After God spoke to me about the worldly definition of
beauty, he led me to a scripture that speaks on what true beauty is, an
everlasting beauty! Psalm 96:6
(MSG) says, “God made the heavens-Royal
splendor radiates from him, A powerful beauty sets him apart” WOW! Not only
does God have beauty, he has a POWERFUL BEAUTY that sets him apart. After reading this scripture, I felt
encouraged and empowered. I felt beautiful in its truest form! Want to know
why? Because in Genesis 1:27, it
says that we were made in God’s own image and likeness! Therefore, if God has a powerful
beauty, then so do YOU! Now I know
some of you ladies may be thinking, “What’s the difference between this
powerful beauty that God has and the beauty discussed in Proverbs 31 that fades
away? Here’s the answer: notice in
the scripture in Psalms 96:6, it says that God’s powerful beauty sets him
apart! The reason why his beauty
sets him apart is because he is Holy.
As Christians we must always strive to be holy, which means to be set
apart from the world and to radiate amongst the lost souls. The only way we can do this is if we
fear the Lord and reverence him and when we do this we will be praised as it
says in Proverbs 31; so these two scriptures connect. Unlike the worldly definition of beauty that fades away,
those who strive to be holy, have a powerful beauty that last forever because
this type of beauty reflects an eternal God! If we take the time to develop this powerful beauty, we
never have to worry about our beauty fading away.
Am I saying not to care about how you look physically? Of
course not! I’m a woman who likes to get her hair done, nails done and have
nice clothes! I’m all for that! I just want you ladies to understand that these
things do not define TRUE BEAUTY!
These things will all fade away!
The point that I am trying to get across is for you to begin to take the
time to beautify your spirit also!
Take the time to recognize that you have the greatest beauty out there
that sets you apart from everyone else!
The same way you would take the time to make sure you look good
physically before you go out to any event, take the time to beautify your
spirit so that you can be praised!
The way to do this is spending time in prayer with God, reading your
word, and being a light to the lost sheep! By doing this, your inner beauty, the powerful and eternal
beauty, will radiate through your physical beauty! And ladies, the next time you
look in the mirror and don’t feel beautiful remember that you have a POWERFUL
BEAUTY within that sets you apart!
Love you!
