That's right you read it right. That's what a young man said to me when I was growing up. I was 14 and was talking to a boy who I had a major crush on. While he was telling me about how he thought Mariah Carey was a 10 all around he decided to tell me what his opinion of me was (Isn't that precious). He had no idea what that did to me for years. Beauty.. so interesting what people consider beautiful. Just take the world's view for instance. Take a moment and go to the mall, turn on the t.v, open a magazine, the world is screaming what their opinion is, that beautiful people have it all. that those who aren't should feel inferior. Isn't it interesting how the same people who are feeding you your insecurities are also the same people who promise to sell you beauty whether it be some cream, lotion, pill, latest hair style, or fashion? They don't believe true beauty comes from within, they believe it can be created.
Who can keep up with the world's view of beauty? It's impossible. How do you keep up with something that is flawed and fake. Most cases the beauty they sell is unnatural. Photo shopped to death, with just the right lighting and enhancement. The boy's rating of me when I was 14 stuck with me. Going through high school I was a mess on how I saw myself (I had no idea of how Christ saw me). I have never had a criticizing spirit towards others (you can ask my husband he always says that I think everyone is beautiful), but when it comes to myself..oh my is all I can say. In high school I was always to trying to keep up, went through eating disorders, and then to the point that I had found myself so useless that I sunk into cutting. I allowed myself to to think so low of myself that it was okay to cut myself to deal with pain in my life. I could have used God's truth about me then don't you think. So I am constantly complimenting people, because I want people to know that they are beautiful, now that I know what true beauty is. I want others to recapture the true beauty in people. I want people to know that true beauty comes from a loving God, and our identity in Christ. We need to not allow our heart and minds absorb what the world says is beautiful but what God thinks is beautiful.
Romans 12:2
New King James Version (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what
is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Come on now, God tells us right there "do not be conformed to this world"
Romans 12:2 Phillips version
With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
I love that version.."Do not let the world around you squeeze you into it's own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within" That's right don't squeeze into any ones mold for you, don't allow all the magazines, tv shows, Internet, movies try to squeeze you into their mold. I love the bible because it doesn't only teach you but warns you.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 Peter 2
1BUT ALSO there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction...oh wait I'll break it down (love bible gateway with all the different versions)
2 Peter 2:1
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (3) and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
I think we only limit the verse to church but as believers it pertains to society as well, it easily applies to our everyday world. False teachers(advertisers...magazines) introduce "new" ways of thinking that are destructive. Their motives...simply put greed! We are warned not to follow these people with their latest diets, latest self improvements...which honest can be hard when you see those before and after shots. This verse also warns against becoming distorted because we follow a lifestyle that is contrary to the beauty God desires. I once wrote about Eve you can read it here, when God got really serious with me and changed the way I thought of myself .
The bible is full of beautiful women who used their beauty for God's purpose. Esther of course is the first to come to mind. She was chosen by the king simply by her beauty. Did she exploit it? Use it for her own gain, modeling, reality show..lol..no she used her beauty to obey the calling in her life. For instance you look at women now example Kim Kardashian beautiful young lady who has taken her beauty and misplaced it. So sad. Reminds me of Delilah who used her beauty selfishly to destroy a man. Do not allow the world to tell you who you should be, and I'm also not saying don't ever care how you look. Or that make up is evil (Lord knows I like me some make up) but balance is what we need. First know who we are in Christ, that the more we resemble Him and His heart the more beautiful we will become. We have a higher authority sitting at the right hand of the father who knocks down the world's words with his truths. He tells us that we are beautiful, and captivating and that He takes delight in us, that He will quiet us with His love, and that He rejoices over us with singing (Zeph 3:17) The Lord says in John15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last." We didn't choose Him but He chose us, not because He thinks we are prettier then anyone else, but because He loves us. To Him we are all beautiful, because we are made in his image. Still don't think you are valuable or beautiful, God does, He's captivated by our beauty see
Psalm 45:11
New Living Translation (NLT)
For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalm 45:11
New International Version (NIV)
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
Doesn't get any better then that my God, the creator of the world (yes the same world that says what I need to be more beautiful) thinks I am that beautiful that He takes delight in me....well I don't know about you but that makes me feel like dancing baby, will you cast off what the world says and dance with me? I hope so.
Photo courtesy of self mag
