Unfading Beauty
Originally written 2/28/08
Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3: 3-4 HCSB)
As we season, we take a glimpse in the mirror. There is a bit more grey aligning the temples or lines around the eyes we have never noticed. Our bodies have taken on shapes, which is not in our favor. We tend to reach out for our pillows each night, drifting off knowing the morning will come soon. The morning light beams through and we long for the days before our natural clock began waking us up. Just a few more zzzz’s and I will be rearing go.
No matter what your biological age states, (take a look on your driver’s license), if you forgot, we have nothing on Noah.
So Noah's life lasted 950 years; then he died. Genesis 9:29.
Can you even imagine? We can also look at Adam and Methuselah. They lived to be in the 900’s as well. Talk about a stiff back, creaking knees and joints.
We take a look around our home, remembering when we used to be our teenager’s age, wondering where did the time go. What happened to me? We wonder, what happened to my youthful self.
Too often we put authority on our outside appearance. Our looks and our appearance seem be our entire make up. The clothes make the man. A certain overly priced cut of jeans is a must. The abs can use more core training. We dare not step out until our makeup is perfectly spackled.
No matter what we use to cover up the lines or darken the grey, we can’t cover up what is on the inside. God isn’t impressed that we own every gadget known to man. With today’s technology, it’s hard not to imagine Twittering or texting, but we don’t need either to stay in contact with the Creator of all things. The most expensive or dazzling jewelry won’t get us into Heaven. To out sparkle the next person doesn’t make us stand out more than another. We tell ourselves that over extending self with extravagant accessories will somehow fill a void. God’s love and knowing, His son, Jesus, can only fill the void.
Yes, God wants us to take care of ourselves. By taking care of our physical, spiritual and mental health, our outside appearance will take care of itself. Aging will come, regardless how we protest the process. Remember, God sees our beauty from the inside. It is our gentle, quiet spirit that is beautiful in God’s eyes. Whenever you take another look through your tired eyes or try rubbing the lines away, embrace ALL God has given you. The ways of the world change, as do we, yet God is forever unchanging.
I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that. -Lauren Bacall-
