Discovering Beauty that is Skin Deep

Everyone has some point in their life picked up a magazine while waiting for the cashier to ring you up. On the magazine, there's tips on how to stay beautiful, things the world says you need to have, or a model posed and titled "most beautiful woman" or "most handsome man" on the planet.

We've all felt jealous or overwhelmed because of whether we don't look like the model on the magazine or we're not like the girl/guy next door. The world states that if you have to have the "perfect body", you have to have the right car, the right clothes, etc. to be considered beautiful. But guess what? God is the least concerned with all of that.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

His definition of beauty is different from the world's definition. The world focuses on the outer appearance but God focuses on the inside, our heart. Samuel was so focused on someone who had the looks of a king, while God had a different idea. David was the youngest but he was who God wanted Samuel to appoint King. Why? Because David had a heart that was for the Lord.

God is less concerned with what you look like, how tall you are, and what you have. Your heart is what has His attention.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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." (1 Peter 3:3-4)

There's nothing wrong with making sure your hair is right, wearing nice clothes and makeup but allowing those things to define your worth is the problem. Don't seek validation, worth, and beauty from things such as these, for they have no value in this world and will pass away. Your beauty and self worth is found in Christ; let Christ be the source. A heart that loves and desires to seek God, puts others' needs before theirs, humbles themselves before the Lord and others, is what God desires and is extremely beautiful to Him. Let your beauty be internal, not just external.

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)

Getting in shape, making sure you look good, and maintaining good health is important, but we should not let that take the focus away of training to be godly. Sure, you have a good body, but do you have a good heart? Do you possess the spiritual fruits? Do you carry the Lord and His word in your hearts? Do you carry yourself in a manner that honors the Lord? That's why it's so vital to get right with God and make sure that our lives AND hearts are in order. Ladies and gents, let's make an effort to put our hearts to work, not just our bodies. Bodies and beautiful faces will always change, but a beautiful heart will always remain.

So the next time you catch yourself looking at a magazine or comparing yourself to someone, stop. Know that you don't need to look like the next person to be considered beautiful. God, the Creator of beauty, already thinks you are. Let your heart shine of God's light and divine beauty and you will see beauty of the world and the people in it in a new way. You are not beautiful by the world's standards, but you are beautiful because God created You. Don't let society tell you what beauty is or isn't, you decide.

Dear Lord,

thank You for thinking of us as Your most prized possessions and most beautiful creations. Help us to learn how to see ourselves how You see us. May we keep in mind that it's not in how we look, but because You made us is what makes us beautiful. We give You our hearts so it may reflect You in everything we do. We know that Your best works are the inner works, In Your name Jesus we pray, Amen.