White, Black.
Skinny, Fat.
Tall, Short.
Muscular, Weak.
Hairy, Balding.
Clear Skin, Pimples.
Big Feet, Small Feet.
Big Chest. Flat Chest.
Big Butt, Small Butt.
Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes.
Long Hair. Short Hair.
Blonde. Brunette.
Golden Tan. Pasty White.
Pretty. Ugly.
Unibrow. Curvacious Brows.
Toned Abs. Muffin Top.
Dumbo Ears. Tiny Lobs.
Big small nose. Small nose.
Small mouth. Big mouth.
Long fingernails. Short stubs.
Celulite.
Wrinkles.
Veracose Veins.
High Arched Feet. Flat Feet.
As some of these examples sound ridiculous they are real insecurities from real people. The list goes on and is different for each of us. Let’s be honest, we all have insecurities about our physical appearance.
One thing that I’ve always found so fascinating is that God did not create any two individuals identical. We are all different. Even identical twins are not the same. When you get down to it we are all genetically formed differently. How cool is that?!?!?
But there’s something about the way we look that identifies us; makes us who we are. Or so we seem to think.
God doesn’t identify us by the way we look. He sees us all as beautiful creations who He loves and takes much pride in. We are all precious to Him. “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” –Matthew 10:30-31 How amazing is our God?!?!?
God doesn’t see all the imperfections… He sees YOU. His beautiful sons and daughters. His princes and princesses! He sees all the junk, all the brokenness, and all the struggles and he thinks it’s beautiful. He even thinks the zit you have the size of Texas on your face is BEAUTIFUL! He created you… all of you! Of course he thinks everything… YES EVERYTHING, about you is beautiful.
But society tells us differently. Society tells us that appearance matters. God says that it doesn’t. Who are we going to choose to believe?
Another thing we consistently use to identify ourselves with are our abilities.
Blind. Perfect Sight.
Deaf. Perfect Hearing.
Flexible. Not Flexible.
Amazing Singer. Can’t carry a tune to save your life.
Athletic. Not sporty at all.
Smart. Stupid.
Outgiong. Introverted.
Again… some of these may sound ridiculous, but they’re true. And do these abilities define us? NO! Who does define us? GOD! It’s really that simple.
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” -1 Corinthians 12:4
We allow comparison to tear us down and make us think that we aren’t worth anything. Well… because I have a big nose I’m not beautiful. LIES. Well… because I’m not the best soccer player on my team I suck at soccer. LIES. Well… because I messed up time and time again in my life God doesn’t love me anymore. LIES.
Some of the best advice someone has ever given me was “Comparison has no place in the house of God”. And why is that true… because he created us all uniquely individual. Comparison has no place in me because I dwell in the house of the Lord. TRUTH!
Here in Swaziland, at El Shaddai, we quickly found out that these girls struggle with the same thing we do. It’s not just American society… it’s global! We decided to make a difference. And what do girls love that make them feel special… GIRL TIME!
We got together with the older girls and taught them about what it means to be a woman of God and how each of them is special to him in such unique ways.
Here’s a video of the special time we spent with the girls at El Shaddai.
