by Richelle Hecker

What makes us beautiful?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Beauty trends are not a new thing. Humanity has worked to improve its’ outward appearance throughout the ages. The trends of tattooing bodies, applying makeup, and wearing jewelry for adornment have been around for centuries before Christ. These things, along with fancy hairstyles, clothing, and shoes, were used to establish status symbols for all genders.

The same is true today. What we consider attractive, or impressive, may differ among cultures, and eras, but the desire to improve our outward appearance for a myriad of reasons remains.

One disturbing observation is that these things have not helped humanity at all. I have never heard of a war that was interrupted because “those people just look too good.” Having perfect eyebrows, hair, or skin does not cause us to treat others better. We can not determine the goodness of a person by how they look, or what they wear. Upright, and villainous, people appear in all kinds of disguises.

This is not news to God.  He calls us to examine, and improve, our character.

 ^“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with 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 New Living Translation

Some may not like the idea of having a gentle, and quiet, spirit because it sounds weak. However, these terms do not mean we should stop speaking and become a doormat. They refer to approaching our relationships with self-control, and humility, acting out of love rather than reacting out of our sinful nature.

They also include cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us, making ourselves easy for Him to lead rather than sticking to our stubborn ways. These are the things that improve humanity.

This does not mean that we need to toss out all the things that improve our outward appearance. Instead, focus on what others can not see…the character they experience when they encounter us.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO