Beauty
beau·ty
‘byo?ode/
noun
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1.a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.“I was struck by her beauty”
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2.a beautiful or pleasing thing or person, in particular.
Body image. Such a huge factor in today’s society. As young girls, teenagers and women, we’ve been swept into a culture that defines beauty as something to be pursued, to attain the highest level of perfection we can, so that those around us like what they see and we feel good about ourselves.
I’ve struggled with my body image since elementary. Thoughts of weight, food, clothes and exercise have constantly consumed my mind. Believing that God loves me just the way that I am and that He made me with no mistakes was something I would only believe on certain days when I felt pretty. The constant people pleasing and fitting the world’s standards is draining and by no means fulfilling. I can forever live to seek the attention of man, but will end up continually feeling empty because it’s short lived. Man’s satisfaction never lasts.
In the past week, I wanted to come to that place of truly believing that I am everything to Jesus. That I’m His Precious Princess. That I’m beautiful inside and out. That He rejoices and delights over me like a Father to His child, or even more so like a groom to his bride. To live for only His approval and His attention. On Friday, we were asked to be in a parade and dress in Thai outfits. What a timing! In the struggle of discovering beauty, God gives us the opportunity to dress up and be Thai princesses for the day and have everyone exclaim that we looked beautiful!
True identity, real beauty, and real value is only found in Jesus.
