You are too small, too big...too skinny...too tall. You have too much make-up on. You are too pale without make-up. You are not educated enough. You are too educated. You need to wear better fashion. You are overly fashioned. And the list goes on. We tell these lies to ourselves or allow others to whisper them into our thoughts. These thoughts at times dictate what we define as being beautiful.
Let me take us back to when our father Adam and mother Eve decided to eat the forbidden fruit. Because of their disobedience, we have all fallen under a curse. The curse that will always make us desire to look beautiful but never content is sin (Genesis 3). We want more and more. We put on make-up to cover up our shame. We clothe ourselves with jewelry and the trendiest fashions only to find disappointment. We pursue the best career and highest education but become faint and exhausted. You see, our contentment rests in Jesus Christ alone. The curse can only be broken when we come to accept Jesus as our Savior and allow Him to take over our hearts and thoughts daily. Only He can fill the void in our hearts. Therefore, we can choose to look beautiful the way our society portrays, leaving our hearts unfulfilled and broken. On the other hand,
we can choose to find true beauty in Jesus Christ our Savior.
He alone can redeem us from the sinful desires of our hearts.
I have had my share of seeking worldly beauty, which only led me to discontentment. Thus, I have come to find that my true beauty comes from seeking Jesus Christ and walking in His truth. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (Proverbs 31:30, NIV).
I would like to share with us a fashion that none can compare. A beautiful outfit, which I am learning to put on daily. It has definitely made me feel beautiful. The Apostle Paul gives it to us in this way:
1. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
2. Wear "the belt of truth buckled around your waist." Ephesians 6:14a (NIV)
3. Clothe "the breastplate of righteousness in place." Ephesians 6:14b (NIV)
4. Put on "your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
5. "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
6. Dress yourself "with the helmet of salvation." Ephesians 6:17a (NIV)
7. Clothe yourself with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17b (NIV)
8. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) Our "adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:2-4, NASB).
Let us "not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)
Finally, always hold fast to the truth that God does not consider our appearance or height, but He "looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV).
May His peace, love and joy be with you, Niam Xh. Leej Koob Xyooj
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