Six months into the race, I’m struggling with the reality of living a missionary lifestyle. I feel ugly. I want to feel that I am glowing with the love of Jesus, but instead, I feel sweat dripping down my face.
I know the truth, I’m beautiful because I am made in God’s image, and I wish I could say that 100% of the time I rest in this truth. But this month I have struggled to believe it.
On Tuesday, I spent the afternoon taking photos of all the kids. It was so fun! There was tons of laughter and so many hugs. We were running around and playing in the midday heat. Afterwards, I was a sweaty mess. I headed back to my room, ready for a pity party because I felt so gross. But as I looked at all of the pictures, my breath was taken away. All I could see was their beautiful smiles, vibrant colors, and the beauty of Cambodia.
Faith is not based on feeling. Thank goodness, because sometimes I feel things that are not true.
Instead of sulking more in my feelings, I am going to dive into his word and study the truth. I am going to declare that God will move, my heart will change, and I will see myself with His eyes.
Even though I don’t feel like a rockstar this month, I feel God’s love and I see His beauty all around me. Most importantly, I know the truth. I am beautiful because I am made in the image of our Heavenly Father. Whether I’m sweaty, smelly, or dirty– nothing can take away the breath of life He has given me. And that’s beautiful.
I’m inviting you all to see the beauty of our Father. Take a moment to look at these photos and rest in His word. Wherever you are today, pause for a moment, look around, and soak in the beauty. We are living in His creation and we are His creation. Nothing is more beautiful than His Love.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Psalm 50:2
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Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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 3:4
You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7
The grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8
I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You’re beautiful
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful
I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful
When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful
-Phil Wickham
