Our culture today is obsessed with achieving the perfect image – a flawless face, gorgeous locks of hair, the best clothes, and a perfectly shaped body. Some people work at it the hard way by starving themselves at dinner, killing themselves at the gym, gazing for hours into the mirror to paint their face to perfection, and spending big bucks at the beauty store on products to ensure that every hair is in place and it glistens in the sun and flows smoothly in the breeze. And what if all of that still doesn’t achieve the desired outcome? Well, no big deal! If all else fails, there is plastic surgery, professional salon treatments, and medical weight loss procedures to get just about everything repaired, right??? The truth is that men and women alike are going to extremes in attempt to imitate the latest Hollywood star, keep up with the most popular student at college, or gain the status of their good-looking coworker in the office.
Obviously, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look our best each and every day to respect ourselves and feel confident in who we are. After all, God made us, and he wants us to bring honor and glory to Him by presenting ourselves in a proper, well-kept fashion, right? I am in complete agreement that “if the barn needs painting, paint it!" Believe me, my barn definitely always needs painting in the morning :) But if we are constantly obsessing over our physical appearance then we are probably trying to paint ourselves and make ourselves fancy with the wrong kind of cosmetics and adornments.
Obviously, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look our best each and every day to respect ourselves and feel confident in who we are. After all, God made us, and he wants us to bring honor and glory to Him by presenting ourselves in a proper, well-kept fashion, right? I am in complete agreement that “if the barn needs painting, paint it!" Believe me, my barn definitely always needs painting in the morning :) But if we are constantly obsessing over our physical appearance then we are probably trying to paint ourselves and make ourselves fancy with the wrong kind of cosmetics and adornments.
There are two things I want us to notice today. First of all, God made us all beautiful the way we are. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” When we constantly complain about our own appearance and try to use costly procedures and treatment plans to transform ourselves to model somebody else (when our model probably isn’t the best example to begin with), we are telling God that we are not content with the way He made us. There is nothing wrong with going to the gym, buying make-up, and getting some new outfits, but when we continuously find a million little things wrong with ourselves physically, maybe we better take a step back, reevaluate our priorities, and take time to thank God for the special person He made us.
Secondly, we need to stop obsessing over the world’s cosmetics and definition of beauty, and start focusing on God’s. It really all comes down to who is it most important for us to impress? And who's approval is it most important for us to gain? The answer we should give every time to that question is God. Here are some "cosmetics" and "accessories" on God’s list that we should use to adorn ourselves:
Secondly, we need to stop obsessing over the world’s cosmetics and definition of beauty, and start focusing on God’s. It really all comes down to who is it most important for us to impress? And who's approval is it most important for us to gain? The answer we should give every time to that question is God. Here are some "cosmetics" and "accessories" on God’s list that we should use to adorn ourselves:
1. A joyful countenance
Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Put a smile on! No matter how painted and glamorous someone may be on the outside, if they are missing a smile then they are not radiating joy from within as God intended. I am completely convinced that happy people are the most attractive! A smile is like a beam of sunshine that sheds warmth wherever it goes and has the power to touch the lives of others (even when no words are said!).
Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Put a smile on! No matter how painted and glamorous someone may be on the outside, if they are missing a smile then they are not radiating joy from within as God intended. I am completely convinced that happy people are the most attractive! A smile is like a beam of sunshine that sheds warmth wherever it goes and has the power to touch the lives of others (even when no words are said!).
2. A mouth that flows with kindness
Proverbs 12:18 – “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Poor choice in our words can really tear someone down, but kind words have the power to change the world! I know for me personally, often all it takes to make a dark day seem bright is for just one person to smile and say something kind. When kindness flows from our lips, it lets those around us know that our focus is not on ourselves, but on others. Believe me, random words of kindness can go a long way!
3. A “meek and quiet spirit”
1 Peter 3:3-4 - “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
I think sometimes this verse can be misinterpreted. I don’t think God means that outward accessories for beauty are wrong, and that we have to be a super quiet, reserved person in order to be considered valuable to Him. Rather, I think He means that inner beauty that radiates humility and a submissive spirit are more valuable to Him than what's on the outside. I’ll admit that physical attractiveness is something that causes my head to turn (toward a man of course), but when choosing someone that I really want to spend time with and get to know on a deeper level, the inner qualities are what really are precious to me. Outward beauty changes with time, but inner beauty can last forever. Physical attractiveness on the outside with no substance on the inside is like a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift that is nothing more than an empty package. We need to build inner beauty by having that sweet spirit that God desires us to have.
4. An attitude that is eager to forgive
Matthew 18:21-22 – “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Even if we don’t feel like forgiving, we should forgive anyway. Bitterness is like a poison that once it takes root continues to seep into every part of your being and really can ruin your life. It makes you an unhappy, critical person that nobody wants to have in their company. Have you forgotten the amazing grace and mercy that God has shown us in our own lives? We ought to show that same abundant forgiveness to those around us. Being around a person that is willing to forgive gives me a tremendous sense of peace, because I know that I am not held to an unreachable standard of perfection. It's good to give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible!
5. Eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of others
Philippians 2:4 – “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Be a person that others can count on 100%. The world has too many false friends that only treat others well when they want something from them. As soon as they’ve got what they want from you, they will disappear from your life, or if you don't give them what they want, then they also will disappear from your life. I know this is true because I’ve unfortunately been disappointed by this type of “friend.” People can be very hurtful, and we need true friends that won’t leave our side when the going gets tough. We should pray every day that God would give us eyes to see as He sees and ears to hear as He hears so we can be the true, genuine type of friend to someone in need. As I said earlier, random words of kindness go a long way. Well, random acts of kindness go a long way as well! You never know the difference you can make in someone's life just by being a listening ear to someone in need.
Proverbs 12:18 – “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Poor choice in our words can really tear someone down, but kind words have the power to change the world! I know for me personally, often all it takes to make a dark day seem bright is for just one person to smile and say something kind. When kindness flows from our lips, it lets those around us know that our focus is not on ourselves, but on others. Believe me, random words of kindness can go a long way!
3. A “meek and quiet spirit”
1 Peter 3:3-4 - “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
I think sometimes this verse can be misinterpreted. I don’t think God means that outward accessories for beauty are wrong, and that we have to be a super quiet, reserved person in order to be considered valuable to Him. Rather, I think He means that inner beauty that radiates humility and a submissive spirit are more valuable to Him than what's on the outside. I’ll admit that physical attractiveness is something that causes my head to turn (toward a man of course), but when choosing someone that I really want to spend time with and get to know on a deeper level, the inner qualities are what really are precious to me. Outward beauty changes with time, but inner beauty can last forever. Physical attractiveness on the outside with no substance on the inside is like a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift that is nothing more than an empty package. We need to build inner beauty by having that sweet spirit that God desires us to have.
4. An attitude that is eager to forgive
Matthew 18:21-22 – “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Even if we don’t feel like forgiving, we should forgive anyway. Bitterness is like a poison that once it takes root continues to seep into every part of your being and really can ruin your life. It makes you an unhappy, critical person that nobody wants to have in their company. Have you forgotten the amazing grace and mercy that God has shown us in our own lives? We ought to show that same abundant forgiveness to those around us. Being around a person that is willing to forgive gives me a tremendous sense of peace, because I know that I am not held to an unreachable standard of perfection. It's good to give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible!
5. Eyes and ears to see and hear the needs of others
Philippians 2:4 – “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Be a person that others can count on 100%. The world has too many false friends that only treat others well when they want something from them. As soon as they’ve got what they want from you, they will disappear from your life, or if you don't give them what they want, then they also will disappear from your life. I know this is true because I’ve unfortunately been disappointed by this type of “friend.” People can be very hurtful, and we need true friends that won’t leave our side when the going gets tough. We should pray every day that God would give us eyes to see as He sees and ears to hear as He hears so we can be the true, genuine type of friend to someone in need. As I said earlier, random words of kindness go a long way. Well, random acts of kindness go a long way as well! You never know the difference you can make in someone's life just by being a listening ear to someone in need.
6. Hands that know how to serve/work
Ecclesiastes 9:10 - “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Unfortunately, I think our culture is breeding lazy people. With so much technology now-a-days, people can get by with doing the bare minimum. You can do just about everything without leaving the comfort of your home with the simple click of a button on your iphone - including getting groceries, ordering a meal from your favorite restaurant, buying gifts for every occasion, paying the bills, hiring a house cleaner, and sending a two-line Facebook message or note to a friend instead of writing a thank you note or a nice hand-written letter. There is a remote control for just about everything, from televisions, fans, CD players, and lamps. And I know I'm just as guilty as the next person, as I have done and used many of these things myself. It is sad, though, that even when we do actually go to work, many people try to just get the job done to collect their paycheck without giving their work 100%. I worked fast food for many years with all types of people and ages, and it didn't take long to notice the truth in that statement!
The truth is we need to quit being wimps. Now, again I say that to myself just as much as anyone else. We never know what kind of curve ball life will throw at us in the future. We need to use the time we have now to learn the value of hard work, persistence, and how to have a positive attitude toward that work so that when life throws us challenges, we won’t cower in fear and defeat, but will rise up to meet them!
7. A heart that gives
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
A giving heart reflects the inner beauty of selflessness. If there is one type of person I know I don't enjoy being around, it is a selfish person - someone who has to have everything exactly how they want, someone who only does something for you when they expect something in return, someone who is more focused on their own well-being and needs than being sensitive to the needs of others. Remember that fake type of person and friend I told you about earlier? Well, he or she reappears under this point as well. Don't be that person that everything is about you.
Giving to others gets our mind off ourselves and off our own problems and helps us refocus on the true purpose of life - serving God through serving others. Every day I try to wear my rubber wristband that says, "I Am Second." It serves as a constant visual reminder to me to put God and others above myself. Of course, again, I often fail at this just like everybody else, as I'm sure my family and others close to me can testify. We all will no doubt make mistakes in this area because we are human, and humans by nature tend to be selfish. But with God's help we can all learn how to be giving people that know how to truly "Live Second!"
Ecclesiastes 9:10 - “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Unfortunately, I think our culture is breeding lazy people. With so much technology now-a-days, people can get by with doing the bare minimum. You can do just about everything without leaving the comfort of your home with the simple click of a button on your iphone - including getting groceries, ordering a meal from your favorite restaurant, buying gifts for every occasion, paying the bills, hiring a house cleaner, and sending a two-line Facebook message or note to a friend instead of writing a thank you note or a nice hand-written letter. There is a remote control for just about everything, from televisions, fans, CD players, and lamps. And I know I'm just as guilty as the next person, as I have done and used many of these things myself. It is sad, though, that even when we do actually go to work, many people try to just get the job done to collect their paycheck without giving their work 100%. I worked fast food for many years with all types of people and ages, and it didn't take long to notice the truth in that statement!
The truth is we need to quit being wimps. Now, again I say that to myself just as much as anyone else. We never know what kind of curve ball life will throw at us in the future. We need to use the time we have now to learn the value of hard work, persistence, and how to have a positive attitude toward that work so that when life throws us challenges, we won’t cower in fear and defeat, but will rise up to meet them!
7. A heart that gives
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
A giving heart reflects the inner beauty of selflessness. If there is one type of person I know I don't enjoy being around, it is a selfish person - someone who has to have everything exactly how they want, someone who only does something for you when they expect something in return, someone who is more focused on their own well-being and needs than being sensitive to the needs of others. Remember that fake type of person and friend I told you about earlier? Well, he or she reappears under this point as well. Don't be that person that everything is about you.
Giving to others gets our mind off ourselves and off our own problems and helps us refocus on the true purpose of life - serving God through serving others. Every day I try to wear my rubber wristband that says, "I Am Second." It serves as a constant visual reminder to me to put God and others above myself. Of course, again, I often fail at this just like everybody else, as I'm sure my family and others close to me can testify. We all will no doubt make mistakes in this area because we are human, and humans by nature tend to be selfish. But with God's help we can all learn how to be giving people that know how to truly "Live Second!"
8. A voice of praise
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
God has been so good to each and every one of us, but too often we forget to give praise where praise is due. We try to take credit for things on our own that really we could have never accomplished in our own strength. It's kind of funny how when things are going great, we try to take credit for all the successes and triumphs in life, but when things get bad then we try to blame God. Rather than blaming God for things, why not instead remember to praise Him? In my mind, one of the most attractive types of people is one who knows what it means to be humble in the Lord and have a joyful spirit that praises the Lord. Let’s not forget to give our Father in Heaven the amazing praise that is due to his name!
Every Morning . . .
I think all these are areas in which we all can improve. Every morning when we do all the things we need to physically make ourselves beautiful for the day, why not first ask ourselves if we have put on God's make-up and accessories for the day. Do we have a joyful spirit within? Are we ready to treat others with kindness? Or do we have some unkind words in our mind that we have been rehearsing to say to that person at work or church that hurt us last week? Did we remember to thank and praise God when we woke up in the morning for all that He has done for us? Or are we beginning our day again with ourselves in the driver seat? Are our hands ready to give 100% to every task someone might require of us today? Or are we determined to get by doing as little as possible? Are we prepared and willing to stop focusing on our own busy agenda to take time to see and hear someone else in need?
What are we adorning ourselves with as we prepare for our day??? Now THAT'S a good question . . .
Photo Credits:
Flawless Face
http://allforfashiondesign.com/get-ready-for-prom-2013-with-these-hot-makeup-looks/
Got Joy?
http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/2010/08/got-joy/
Try Kindness
http://purpleambrosia.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/using-social-media-passive-aggressively-to-veil-our-true-emotions-my-foot-in-the-mouth-disease-or-part-2-love-is-kind/
Working Hands
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3875273
Voice of Praise/Thanksgiving
http://notesofinspiration.com/page/49/
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
God has been so good to each and every one of us, but too often we forget to give praise where praise is due. We try to take credit for things on our own that really we could have never accomplished in our own strength. It's kind of funny how when things are going great, we try to take credit for all the successes and triumphs in life, but when things get bad then we try to blame God. Rather than blaming God for things, why not instead remember to praise Him? In my mind, one of the most attractive types of people is one who knows what it means to be humble in the Lord and have a joyful spirit that praises the Lord. Let’s not forget to give our Father in Heaven the amazing praise that is due to his name!
Every Morning . . .
I think all these are areas in which we all can improve. Every morning when we do all the things we need to physically make ourselves beautiful for the day, why not first ask ourselves if we have put on God's make-up and accessories for the day. Do we have a joyful spirit within? Are we ready to treat others with kindness? Or do we have some unkind words in our mind that we have been rehearsing to say to that person at work or church that hurt us last week? Did we remember to thank and praise God when we woke up in the morning for all that He has done for us? Or are we beginning our day again with ourselves in the driver seat? Are our hands ready to give 100% to every task someone might require of us today? Or are we determined to get by doing as little as possible? Are we prepared and willing to stop focusing on our own busy agenda to take time to see and hear someone else in need?
What are we adorning ourselves with as we prepare for our day??? Now THAT'S a good question . . .
Photo Credits:
Flawless Face
http://allforfashiondesign.com/get-ready-for-prom-2013-with-these-hot-makeup-looks/
Got Joy?
http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/2010/08/got-joy/
Try Kindness
http://purpleambrosia.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/using-social-media-passive-aggressively-to-veil-our-true-emotions-my-foot-in-the-mouth-disease-or-part-2-love-is-kind/
Working Hands
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3875273
Voice of Praise/Thanksgiving
http://notesofinspiration.com/page/49/