Unfading Beauty: More than Just a Pretty Face
As a young lady
living in the present 2014, I have really had a warped sense of self growing
up, & have really been confused on what beauty really is. Now at the age of
21 I have decided to break the monotonous streak of obsessing over “ I hope I
don’t see anyone I know, because I didn’t wear make-up today”, or always being
in a competition with every cute girl who walks by and comparing the amount of
cellulite on my legs to hers. Although this society really is warped when it
comes what is considered the most beautiful, as Christian women we cannot leave
all of the blame on society and everyone else. We are to blame as well.
As I’ve been
looking for answers on what God says about what true beauty is and looking at
stories like Esther, Ruth, & Mary I also discovered a part of what it
really means to be a woman and why God made
us the way we are. We have such an important, yet humbling role that is not
measured by the amount of cleaning and cooking we do or don’t do, not the
pretty toned or cellulite legs, not the amount of make-up we wear or how great
we look without it. So let’s see what God measures….
Keys to being a Godly woman: Beauty, Feminism, Modesty, Confidence.
As a follower of Christ, our bodies are the
temple of God and we are commanded to take care of it.
Maintaining a clean, neatness, good hygiene,
modesty and appropriate appearance, eating healthy and exercising, Skin care,
gracious manners are our responsibility. Our goal should ultimately be that our
adornment is to emphasize the internal.
We should complement the kingdom of God in every
aspect of life.(2 Co 3:2-3)
Never be a hindrance to the Kingdom of God.
Looking nice is not a bad thing; in fact, your
outward appearance attracts others to you and your life. This ultimately gives
you an opportunity for sharing the testimony of Christ who dwells in you.
But keep in mind that a woman’s countenance is a
mirror of her heart. Inner peace and Joy reflect upon a woman’s face. No amount of make-up can mask an unkind heart
and hateful words.
A woman’s heart should be rooted in peace and
joy. Her outer countenance radiates vitality, enthusiasm, love and a deep sense
of well-being- something no amount of make-up, perfume or great hair, nice
clothes,& a hot bod could ever create. Having the Holy Spirit empowers a
woman with the vitality, & enthusiasm, making her a magnet of people.
True beauty comes from within & is
manifested by pure motives & a generous and unselfish spirit towards
others. God will manifest that in a woman when she surrenders her life to
Him.(1 Ch16:29)
What is natured internally is ultimately
manifested externally.(Pr 23:7)
Fruits of a Beautiful Spirit: Patience, a quiet
spirit, kindness, faith, joy, hope love, selflessness, content, & genuine.
Femininity:
Femininity is God’s gift to women, a
characteristic that separates us from men and allows us to reach people on a
more gentle and compassionate level.
Femininity is more than just being a lady, It’s
a gift from God that allows us to fulfill our purpose as women. God made us to
be caring, loving, gentle & to encourage.
Surrendering to Him is the key ingredient to
femininity.
A
Single woman: surrenders herself in a unique way
for service to Her Lord & for service of her family and community.
As
a Bride: She surrenders her independence,
her name, her destiny, her will and ultimately, her body to her husband for the
glory of God.
As
a Mother: She surrenders her life, for the
life of her child.
We are to revive what is already given to us,
Femininity.
Such as Mary, Ruth, Esther, they understood
their role that God has blessed them with& their unique way to serve the
Lord with their gifts.
Modesty:
Before there was sin, Adam and Eve were naked
and felt no shame.(Gen 2:25)
After they sinned they were afraid& covered
themselves; modesty started.
Modesty=
Measure
Modesty is a sensitive withdrawal from anything
that is indelicate or impure.
The culture in which we are born& the
Christian society in which you live in are factors in using discretion on
decency. Ultimately a woman’s sense of modesty is to be regulated by her
personal relationship Christ and His purity.
Confidence is how you value yourself. Biblically
you are to be humble, but sometimes we can be self-degrading and that is not
healthy. We need to pray that we see ourselves as Christ see’s us, no more-no
less.
Proper Self-esteem in a Christian woman is a
matter of recognizing& confronting herself in her humanity, including her
tendency to sin.
(1 Pe 2:25)
But His grace covers our sin, And if you are a
follower of Christ , you have the power of the Holy Spirit in you and your
confidence should be in that.
