Redefining Beauty

What enters your mind when you consider the term 'beautiful'? For me, it's the things I am NOT, the things I DON'T have: 0% body fat, flawless skin, perfect hair, a straight nose and the list goes on...But I have to catch myself. I have to re-evaluate the term 'beautiful' on a higher level. To be precise, I need to define 'beauty' for what it really is, not for what I think it ought to be, or for what society claims it to be. I need to trash my pre-conceived notions and ask the Creator of beauty what He meant it to be.

"Beauty does not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair, 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

The everlasting beauty of gentleness and quietness. Not the normal terms associated with beauty, are they? So what is their value? What connection does gentleness have with being pretty or maintaining an inward beauty? How does quietness transform into being attractive? Let me take a shot at answering...

I mentioned in an earlier post that us girls often struggle to stay above the noise of our hearts, the questions that scream at us when we look in the mirror: "Am I beautiful?" "Do boys find me attractive?" "What do I need to fix?" "How can I look more appealing?" So many questions. So many doubts. So much inner chaos -- chaos that influences our outward actions and perpetuates certain behaviors. If we are insecure in ourselves (i.e., if we don't find a satisfying answer to our heart's questions), that insecurity often transforms into flirty, attention-seeking behavior. We laugh louder, smile bigger, wear higher heels, lower tops, or dramatic make-up. We exchange a natural look for something....bigger; something much more demanding. But imagine if we could quiet the inner chaos, if the doubts that drown us in self-condemnation were defeated by an an eternal answer of "Yes, you ARE beautiful!" Imagine the peace that we would have within ourselves -- the start of a gentle and quiet spirit.

But what is the answer? Where is that confident, resounding response that beats with our own hearts, telling us that we are lovely? Oh, the answer's there. But the true question is this: will you let yourself believe it? When God created the first woman, He called her 'good.' He created her fearfully, with respect, admiration and honor; and He created her wonderfully. (Psalm 139:14) God's truths fight our screaming questions with a gentle whisper, "I made you for my glory. I found you lovely and I loved you. I found you beautiful and I died for you.I found you imperfect so I saved you. I found you beyond compare so I desire to spend eternity with you."

Beyond compare...think about that. Let that quiet the rage inside of you. Let God's desire for you tear you away from the desire to conform to another standard of beauty. Let His passion for you be a peace you have in yourself. Let God's love be your confidence in who you are. Let His satisfaction in your creation be the ultimate answer to any doubt of your worth. But above all, embrace the gentleness and quietness that comes with embracing Christ's love...and let it redefine your beauty.