Over the course of the past few weeks I decided to address the concept of beauty, and the role it played in the grander scheme of my life. I took a hard look at myself, trying to see what I appreciated most. What is it about women that we always tend to criticize ourselves? Why do we fight compliments and think it more attractive to deny that we are beautiful rather than recognize that, really, we are?
I am completely guilty of falling under the spell that the media casts in deciding who and what is beautiful. I have always been image and body conscious. I have always considered outer beauty as worthy of my time and energy as inner beauty. Heaven forbid I ran into someone while looking my worst on a quick grocery store run.
Then the World Race began. And for the first time in my life, I am surrounded by a culture that focuses on building character and growing in our identities as beloved children of God rather than focusing on success, money, or appearance. Being on the World Race has awakened my eyes to the concept of true beauty. As I sit here in the same shirt I have had on for the past three days and only showered once in the past week because I don’t have water unless it rains….I am completely content.
Gone is my world of carefully calculated miles I walk and spinach salads, recommended skin care products, pedicures, and precise make-up.
And in the land of cold showers once a week, white carbohydrates, dirty living conditions, and basically the same four outfits for the next 9 months, God has quickly redefined beautiful as I had come to think of it.
I think that true beauty pierces all the way through the soul, and shines through in ways that are undeniable. God gave women softer features, softer curves, and softer hearts, knowing that in those things we would embody the beauty He sees in femininity. What is inside is a genuine representation of the person than what is displayed on the outside. If we look around we see it everywhere. There are persons in our radar who would not consider themselves beautiful physically. Their their inner beauty/ personalities are such that when we see them, when we encounter them all we are experiencing is their beauty that radiates from within. No matter how we try to get our physical beauty right, if inside we are not genuine it will be manifested on the outside.
True beauty comes from knowing God and our acceptance of who we are. So this concept of always putting your best foot forward ,looking good, feeling good and smelling good is important but it is not the true formula that makes you beautiful. The true formula is getting our inside right.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and 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
Beautiful women are confident. They are not arrogant or proud; they simply walk with their heads held high in understanding of who God says they are.
Beautiful women live honorably. They strive to love, encourage and uplift the people around them in everything they do. They do not gossip or disrespect others for any reason. Encouraging and speaking highly of other women comes naturally to them.
Beautiful women are faithful to what God puts in front of them. Whether it is a big task or small, they are faithful to work hard and love well because God has trusted them to do so.
Beautiful women live above reproach, recognizing that the way they represent themselves, their families, and their God is more important than momentary pleasure.
Beautiful women respect and encourage the men around them. They are not afraid of gender roles, and willingly submit to the authority given to Godly men.
Beautiful women are joyful and appreciate life. They laugh easily, celebrate small victories, and appreciate the little things that make life colorful, flavorful, and pleasurable.
And finally, beautiful women DO delight in how they physically present themselves as a shining example of God’s creation. They care for their hair, skin, and bodies in a way that reflects their desire to care for the precious thing that God has entrusted them with.
Don’t get me wrong. Walking miles in the park, spinach salad, and pedicures are all on my to-do list soon after arriving back home, as mch for the detox needs as anything else. But this time it will be with the carefree confidence that those things are not what is making me beautiful; walking in the calling and identity I have as a daughter of God is. I will never work out because I hate my body; rather, I will work out, eat healthy, and care for my body because I love it.
And for now, the children in Honduras throw themselves into my arms, wrapping their arms tightly around my neck and smiling with sheer joy. And here, walking down the dirt roads that God called me to walk, I have never felt more beautiful or confident.