Beauty

Week 3's Scripture challenge is the word BEAUTY.

Like most women I know, I struggle with the idea of beauty. What is it anyway? Who decides what is beautiful and what is not? If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then why is everyone so worried about beauty? Why is it so elusive to so many?

I have talked to God about this issue off and on for a few years now. I am always reminded that God cares about what I look like on the inside. What is the condition of my heart? Sure, I can strive for the perfect size 2 body (highly unlikely I'd ever get there BTW) and have a dark, dirty heart - one full of secrets and unconfessed sin. Sure the world would esteem me, but how would God feel when He looked at me? He wants me to care for my body; I am not supposed to obsess over it. If I am to be obsessed with anything, it is in becoming more like Christ so that my heart is the perfect size - "Christ sized."

While it sounds trite, ultimately the state of my heart is what matters most. I want people to look at me and see a woman who tries to show love and compassion; one who cares for others; one who is kind; one who listens. For in the end, that is what people will remember most about a person - not what they looked like on the outside, but how what was INSIDE reflected and affected the outside.

I still struggle with wanting to be the perfect whatever that society says I should be. But, more and more I am coming to a place where I care more about what God thinks about me. I want to hear Him say "well done, my precious, precious child."

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but if true beauty comes from reflecting Christ, from the inside out, then I want to be the apple of God's eye. When God beholds me, I want Him to see Christ.