Showing posts with label Proverbs 31. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proverbs 31. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Where True Beauty Starts...
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her." ♥ Max Lucado
Monday, August 18, 2008
Is God Against Physical Beauty?
Sometimes when I read passages like First Peter, chapter 3, where the Bible focuses so much on inner beauty, it almost seems like God doesn't want me to do anything to draw attention to, nor enhance my physical body. But I don't think that's a fair representation of God's desires for His daughters. Yes, He wants my priority to be on the internal, no question about that. But He also created me "fearfully and wonderfully" (Psalm 139:14), inside and out. I think the Lord delights when I care for my body as a precious gift He has handcrafted and chosen to bless me with.
God calls the body of each man or woman who has a personal relationship with Him, a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). 2 Chronicles 3 details some of God's plans for His actual temple building, probably one of the most beautiful architectural accomplishments in all history! If He ordered such lavish beauty for a building that would represent His presence on earth, I don't think He wants Christians, the living, breathing representation of His Spirit to the world around us, running around only in "sackcloth and ashes" and forsaking any kind of fashion.
Isaiah 61:10 says, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (NIV). The focus of this verse is inward beauty, having my heart and head in the right place, my focus on God. Yet it also hints to me of God's blessing on the outward. God compares His gift of salvation to being beautifully dressed, of being adorned and jeweled. Would He use such language if He disapproved of these actions? And again in Proverbs 1:8-9, "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Wisdom and obedience are also compared to things that beautify the body.
Revisiting 1 Peter 3:3 I see that the Bible never says we should not have outward adornment, only that our beauty should not come from things such as hairdos, jewelry and fine clothes. Beauty needs to come from the heart, the outward things only reflecting our attitudes of within. A gentle and quiet spirit will have no desire to draw undue attention with "flashy" nor seductive dress, but a gentle woman can still dress the part. Would you expect a “gentleman” to attend a business meeting in anything less than a suit? Why should a gentle woman not dress her best as unto the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17)? It is a joy to think that how I dress, do my makeup, put on jewelery or fix my hair can all be an act of worship to my Creator!
Proverbs 31:30 tells us that "charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." And in the virtues listed of this same woman the Bible states, "she is clothed in fine linen and purple... She is clothed with strength and dignity... (vs. 22-25). Beautiful character and giving attention to our outward expressions of beauty, truly can both be honoring to God.
And if we need final confirmation that God approves of loveliness in all forms, Philippinas 4:8 is a great reminder, “Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”
God calls the body of each man or woman who has a personal relationship with Him, a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). 2 Chronicles 3 details some of God's plans for His actual temple building, probably one of the most beautiful architectural accomplishments in all history! If He ordered such lavish beauty for a building that would represent His presence on earth, I don't think He wants Christians, the living, breathing representation of His Spirit to the world around us, running around only in "sackcloth and ashes" and forsaking any kind of fashion.
Isaiah 61:10 says, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (NIV). The focus of this verse is inward beauty, having my heart and head in the right place, my focus on God. Yet it also hints to me of God's blessing on the outward. God compares His gift of salvation to being beautifully dressed, of being adorned and jeweled. Would He use such language if He disapproved of these actions? And again in Proverbs 1:8-9, "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Wisdom and obedience are also compared to things that beautify the body.
Revisiting 1 Peter 3:3 I see that the Bible never says we should not have outward adornment, only that our beauty should not come from things such as hairdos, jewelry and fine clothes. Beauty needs to come from the heart, the outward things only reflecting our attitudes of within. A gentle and quiet spirit will have no desire to draw undue attention with "flashy" nor seductive dress, but a gentle woman can still dress the part. Would you expect a “gentleman” to attend a business meeting in anything less than a suit? Why should a gentle woman not dress her best as unto the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17)? It is a joy to think that how I dress, do my makeup, put on jewelery or fix my hair can all be an act of worship to my Creator!
Proverbs 31:30 tells us that "charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." And in the virtues listed of this same woman the Bible states, "she is clothed in fine linen and purple... She is clothed with strength and dignity... (vs. 22-25). Beautiful character and giving attention to our outward expressions of beauty, truly can both be honoring to God.
And if we need final confirmation that God approves of loveliness in all forms, Philippinas 4:8 is a great reminder, “Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”
Friday, January 18, 2008
Plain Jane, Somber Sally and Superficial Sue
Have you ever attended a funeral for a "Plain Jane" whose features or body shape did nothing to capture the imagination, and yet everyone remembers her as beautiful anyway? It's that perpetual smile that does it. No, not the straight lines of pearly white teeth nor the lush, full, wine colored lips. But the infectious joy that continually starts from deep in her heart, shines through her eyes, and touches you to the core.
For all my efforts to "be beautiful" outwardly, in the end it's what is inside that really does matter. Some of the most beautiful people are ones I would least seek out as friends, for their beauty goes as deep as the skin and no farther. They will forever struggle to hold onto the quickly fading exterior, while character and depth of heart are overlooked. At their funerals, sure their outer glory may be mentioned, but it isn't going to be what endears them to the memories of their mourners. I would much rather be a "Joyful Jane" than a "Superficial Sue"!
So how does Jane stand out as beautiful? I think she knows the secrets of Proverbs 31, that Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. - (vs 30, The Message). Not "fear" as in "run and hide" but as in reverent honor, in knowing He has the ability to snuff out my life in a single breath, yet trusting Him to sustain and guide me as a loving Father, step by step. If I'm living in this kind of relationship with Him, I will be making each choice with a heart for what would bring Him glory rather than how to gain notice for myself.
Does this mean I need to be neglectful in how I present myself to the world? To scorn makeup, tie my hair in a knot and dress in rags like "Somber Sally"? Absolutely not! In fact the same passage that describes a woman of beauty states, She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. - (vs 25, NIV). My character can shine through the way I dress, the outward can be a reflection of the strength He provides in my heart. Unlike Sally, I can delight in the fun of shopping for those perfect pair of shoes (as long as I'm not going into debt to do it) because God is the creator of beauty and He delights when I take joy in the body He has given me.
Somber Sally works so hard at following the "rules" that she has forgotten that her strength and joy come only from the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). And Superficial Sue, though the eye's delight, is probably even less happy than Sally. While I my only be a Jane, I pray that what is remembered of me is my shining smile, ready laughter, and beauty much more than skin deep.
For all my efforts to "be beautiful" outwardly, in the end it's what is inside that really does matter. Some of the most beautiful people are ones I would least seek out as friends, for their beauty goes as deep as the skin and no farther. They will forever struggle to hold onto the quickly fading exterior, while character and depth of heart are overlooked. At their funerals, sure their outer glory may be mentioned, but it isn't going to be what endears them to the memories of their mourners. I would much rather be a "Joyful Jane" than a "Superficial Sue"!
So how does Jane stand out as beautiful? I think she knows the secrets of Proverbs 31, that Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. - (vs 30, The Message). Not "fear" as in "run and hide" but as in reverent honor, in knowing He has the ability to snuff out my life in a single breath, yet trusting Him to sustain and guide me as a loving Father, step by step. If I'm living in this kind of relationship with Him, I will be making each choice with a heart for what would bring Him glory rather than how to gain notice for myself.
Does this mean I need to be neglectful in how I present myself to the world? To scorn makeup, tie my hair in a knot and dress in rags like "Somber Sally"? Absolutely not! In fact the same passage that describes a woman of beauty states, She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. - (vs 25, NIV). My character can shine through the way I dress, the outward can be a reflection of the strength He provides in my heart. Unlike Sally, I can delight in the fun of shopping for those perfect pair of shoes (as long as I'm not going into debt to do it) because God is the creator of beauty and He delights when I take joy in the body He has given me.
Somber Sally works so hard at following the "rules" that she has forgotten that her strength and joy come only from the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). And Superficial Sue, though the eye's delight, is probably even less happy than Sally. While I my only be a Jane, I pray that what is remembered of me is my shining smile, ready laughter, and beauty much more than skin deep.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Home Business Tip
Like the Proverbs 31 woman, it seems like many of my friends today are becoming industrious at home. If you run a home based business (or three) like I do, here's a tool you will want to check out. Home Party Profits Software is a free online system for tracking all your business needs from slaes and expenses to clients and schedules.
There is the option of an upgrade purchase (bust deal when you register, some discounts still available after initial registration) that I went ahead and took, and I'm glad I did. But even if you only use the free options (and yes, it truly is free, no catches!), I think you will find this tool to be very helpful in managing your business.
There is the option of an upgrade purchase (bust deal when you register, some discounts still available after initial registration) that I went ahead and took, and I'm glad I did. But even if you only use the free options (and yes, it truly is free, no catches!), I think you will find this tool to be very helpful in managing your business.
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