Sunday, March 23, 2014

Beautifully bound, inside and out

How many of us struggle to feel beautiful? Fear to look in the mirror? Or look, yet end up not liking what we see? How many of us fear the judgement of others? Fear not being able to know the sweet feeling of beauty?


1 Peter 3:3-4
"Don't be concerned about outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."


"..You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within.."


"...the beauty that comes from within.."


Somewhere, somehow, those words have began to slip from my mind. In the mix of this world's ways, I've created a mindset that forgets my inner being, and sees only my outward self. And most the time, the lack of beauty it holds.


It's about what I wear, or even what I don't wear. It's not just about the clothes and makeup I put on, but the body and face underneath.


Am I pretty? Am I beautiful?


I find myself in a battle to feel beautiful. To feel pretty. I struggle to find the beauty looking back at me in the mirror. No clothes are good enough. No jewelry, no makeup, no ribbon. Nothing can make this body look or feel beautiful.


Am I alone? Or are there others who feel the same?


"You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from within."


It was those words right there that I let slip my mind. I let that simple truth become blocked away. My focus slipped from the beauty that lies from within. The beauty of Jesus Christ living inside my very soul. The beauty of a soul that bears the Spirit of the living Son.


That's where my beauty lies. That's where your beauty lies.


Seek out the beauty within. Seek out the presence of the Almighty God inside you. Allow it to transform your inner being. Your soul, your spirit, your heart. Then, and only then, will your outward appearance become transformed as well. Beauty will flow from your body, your lips, your actions, your life. Jesus will be reflected.


Allow the presence of Jesus to make you feel beautiful on the inside so that the beauty on the outside can be revealed.


Once that inner beauty is embraced, your outward beauty will shine through all on it's own. The power of the living God will do it's work and shine through. Find His beauty, and He'll clothe you in it.


When I stop feeling beautiful, I close my eyes and look deep. I look for Jesus. I look for His light and presence within me. I search for the way to incredible, unending beauty. Everlasting beauty.


And time and time again, God's mighty hands have captured this frail heart with His beauty.


Open up. Look deep. Allow your beauty within to be found. Embrace it.


1 Peter 3:3-4

"Don't be concerned about outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."