And Let the Beauty of the Lord Be Upon You

The following is a post by Stacey McDonald from Dec. 2007. I found her post to be helpful to me, in particular, and thought it might be helpful to other ladies knowing how many of us struggle with our appearance. I also know from personal experience that women aren't limited to comparing themselves to the physical traits of other women, but we also compare ourselves to the natural abilities of other women.

Just a few thoughts on that. I would say that it is our responsibility to be faithful and hardworking with the talents God has given us otherwise we are little more than lazy. I also believe that in some part we are to "expand our borders", so to speak, in the areas we are not naturally gifted in. This helps to build character, knowledge and experience, all of which makes for a well rounded individual. I think, too, that there is a great deal of discontent and lack of thankfulness for what the Lord has given us. He has bestowed upon his children the beauty of salvation and clothed us in the garments of righteousness. How can we get any more beautiful?

With that being said, it is obvious that each of us have our own particular niches. Each of us are gifted with interests, hobbies and strengths (and weaknesses...ouch!) that others do not have. I see (with the eyes of faith when the spirit of weakness overcomes) this as reflecting the beauty of our Creator who has chosen by his own decree from all eternity (Eph. 1:4,11) to create each of us individually and uniquely for his own glory.

Rev. 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

So who are we to challenge the Lord on what he decides to make? Can the clay that is formed question the Potter? Some of us are fit for everyday common use and others have been created for a more prominent use. It is a rather ridiculous picture to imagine each individual within the body of believers insisting to be an eye or a hand or a head? If the Lord has seen fit to make his body a unique and diverse one then it is not our place to view that diversity as "beauties versus the beasts". Rather, it is our privilege to use the talents he has given us, not for our own selfish pleasure (though the Lord wants us to enjoy the gifts he freely gives!), but for the honor and glory of our Master Potter.

2 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

May we choose instead to thank the Lord for the talents he has given us (though they be few or many), to be faithful in using them and expanding them for His glory and rejoice not in who we are alone, but who we are in Him!

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Beauty of the Lord be Upon You!

If you haven't watched the video below yet, please do so with your daughters! Give them a big hug and remind them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that photoshop won't make them any more beautiful than they are right now!

When we present ourselves in a way that glorifies God, and when we live chaste and sober lives, loving our neighbor and glorifying the Lord with all we are, His beauty will shine forth from us!

We have no true beauty without the Lord, and any outward beauty we do have is a rotting façade that will one day return to dust. There is nothing wrong with presenting ourselves in a lovely way. There is nothing sinful about make-up or beautiful clothes or jewelry, but we must teach our daughters that our focus is to glorify God.

Be faithful; teach your daughters that beauty doesn’t come from a tube of lipstick, it doesn’t come from having a twenty-one-inch waist, and it’s not lost because those gray hairs start coming or that last baby brought twenty extra pounds. The beauty of the Lord is eternal and it should be cherished and worn with dignity.

Tell your precious daughters to remember this video when they see billboards and magazines that try to "train" them into accepting Hollywood's version of beautiful.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17, NKJV)