Let our Inner Beauty Shine

(Yesterday was swamped with all my homework due for the 6 classes I am taking so please forgive me for not posting this then.)

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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." I Peter 3:3-4

Lately, I have been hooked on the show “Toddlers & Tiaras” which is odd considering I disagree with the idea of letting a little girl participate in them. I am not sure why I watch it to be honest, but I have been.

It is sad reality in this world, especially here. I don’t believe there has ever been a country more materialistic than the United States. Fashion and body image floods our media. You cannot find a magazine, newspaper or television show that does not have advertisements that force judgment on a person’s image. That image could come from personal appearance or the appearance of the person’s belongings. This includes the car you drive, the house you live in, the clothes you wear or the gadgets you carry with you.

Why have we let these things define us in the eyes of others? Why are we not more concerned about who we are on the inside than what others judge about our outside? While watching the show last night I said to myself out loud, “they should spend more time gazing on God’s face rather than gazing into the mirror, if they spent more time on their face with Him instead of putting on their face with makeup, they would be more balanced and have a better attitude in life. They will never be perfect no matter how well their hair and makeup are, how glamorous their clothes are, or how big their smile is; there is only one who is perfect and He has already been crowned His title. He is the Ultimate Grand Supreme, He is crowned King of the world, our Lord and Savior.

Now this doesn't just apply to pageant girls and boys, but all of us. And although this passage was written to women, I believe when Peter refers to the inner self he is talking to the men today just as much as the women. The principle applies to both. I have seen men just as obsessed with their outward appearance as woman, especially when it comes to their image involving the car they drive or the electronics they use. 

We all fall into the temptation that outer beauty and our outward appearance and image is more important than inner beauty, but let me encourage and remind you that as believers, Christ lives in each of us like it says in Galatians 2:20a, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” So no matter what we try to do to improve our image, our inner beauty will always be more beautiful with God inside us. Let us begin a personal revolution by paying more attention to our inner self than all the outward trappings with their false standards. If we do this, we will find the joy and peace that we will never experience by outward appearance alone and our inner beauty found in Jesus will start to shine through instead.

Lord, please forgive me for putting the worldly standards about your Godly ones, not to the extreme of the show I was watching but in thought and other actions. Thank You for calling me into Your presence and reminding me that while outer beauty fades, Your presence and beauty inside me never fades. Empower my life to demonstrate that You live inside me, I want people to look at me and see you not me Lord. Help me to remain focused on You and putting the makeup of Christ on daily. Thank You for Your patience, understanding, mercy and love. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.