Friday, October 5, 2012

Are You Beautiful?


So many times, I think we girls have our focus all wrong. (I am definately guilty of this.) We try to look beautiful; putting our hair in uncomfortable curlers before we go to sleep, trying on half of our closets on Sunday morning or Wednesday night and spend half an hour in front of the mirror, trying, trying, trying to make our hair do what we want it to.

But when you really think about it, who (besides you, of course) is going to remember that you wore  "the pink floral skirt with the white sweater, the ruby necklace and the big, sparkley, white hair flower" to "Sue's baby shower on Saturday the 10th, in the year twenty-twelve."

That isn't what's important. Most likely, by next week, half of the people that actually noticed what you were wearing will have forgotten. But, there are some things that people don't forget. Some things stick in peoples minds long after the "baby shower" is over. What you said to them and how you made them feel are remembered for years, sometimes and a Christian life (not just an "I go to church" one) on display sticks out to people.

You could be dressed as beautifully as (give me the name of your role model in dressing), but if you were snippy and unkind that day, people aren't going to think very well of you, now are they? But if you go seeking to help and serve others, listening when you don't really care about "fru-fru" the baby kitten that cousin "Brenda" is crazy over, or giving up your own wants and wishes when your little sister needs help "cutting up her chicken" and you're positively starving, yourself; when you let Jesus be on display...

Put yourself in the seat of the woman who might be sitting across from you at the shower. What would you think? Which of the two "yous" described do you like better?

The truth is simple: "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

There's nothing wrong with trying to look nice, and you should! I think God made women to want to be beautiful. But don't put your whole focus on that; it's a trap. Seek to be beautiful in God's sight.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

According to the verses below what is beautiful in God's eyes?

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
A meek and quiet spirit.

I'll give you the definintions:

Meek

1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.
Now the man Moses was very meek. Num. xii. 3.

2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face. Her meek prayer." Chaucer. Syn. -- Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming; humble. See Gentle.

MEEK,
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.


Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men. Num.12.

2. Appropriately,humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Matt.11.


Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt.5.
Quiet


1. In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. Judg. xvi. 2.

2. Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still. 3. Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience. So quiet and so sweet a style." Shak.
4. Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. 1 Pet. iii. 4
5. Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement. Syn. -- Still; tranquil; calm; unruffled; smooth; unmolested; undisturbed; placid; peaceful; mild; meek; contented.



Wow. What do you girls think?








9 comments:

Zoƫ said...

awesome ANNA! i love it ;) very true and beautifuly put!

Bethany d said...

And I can positively agree and sympathize with you -- because I struggle with the same thing!! My hair has a tendency to do everything wrong. ;)

It's crazy how I sit in the mirror trying to get the perfect look and I don't even bother about preparing myself to be a witness for Christ - even if it's for a quick run down to the store!

Katherine said...

I totally agree with Zoe! =)

The Brunette in the Kitchen said...

Wow, how true. You're right, Anna; we should put the majority of our focus on our character and how we live and portray Christ than how we look. This is good advice for me, thank you :)

Anna said...

I REALLY appreciate these comments, girls! Thanks for taking the time to encourage me.

Unknown said...

Excellent reflections Anna!

Elisabeth said...

Very very true, Anna. Thank you for reminding us all what really matters.

Serenity said...

What a great post Anna! :)
Serenity

Anna said...

Thanks for your comments. :) I really appreciate them!