Beauty

What beauty means? Recently, the true meaning of beauty is fading away; it becomes vague. Even in my photography class, we were struggling to describe what was beauty today. Majority of mass media drive us to different perspective of beauty. For women, beauty means white skin, long hair, and super skinny (not even curvy) with a short skirt. Advertising today is getting worse compare to years before; most of photo are touched in Photoshop. Nothing real anymore! I have seen many advertising that is only picturing about sensuality and violence, instead of promoting their products. It is not only happening in advertising and magazine field, but also film field. I have read in CNN.com that Fat is The New Ugly on The Playground! How sad! That’s not true my little sweetheart.. Don’t trust them! >_<  

So, what is beauty? According to dictionary.com, beauty is “the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).” In fact, everyone was created different and unique. No one is similar; not even twins siblings who were born from the same womb! Please remember that God created us fearfully and wonderfully.. He knows us very berry well.. :p

“I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well.” –Psalm139:14 (NKJV)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)

There was no one like you before you were born nor in future. You and I are created the one and the only on this Earth :)  So, why we want to be another person? Why we are attracted with theories by the world? Don’t be! Hmm.. So, what is the true meaning of beauty? According to Bible, Beauty is nothing about physical beauty or appearance, but it is an inner beauty or spiritual identity. We were created by His image, and we had been redeemed by His salvation on the cross. If someone gives us million dollars, will we adore that person for a life time? If someone has rescued us from fire or any other accident, will we be thankful to that person? What Jesus did was waaaaayyyyy far than that! He gave Himself for us. He is the King of kings, but He humbles Himself to sacrifice and serve us! Who are we? We are nothing compare to God, but we pretend to know everything like Him. Oh well, I am talking another topic here.. My bad.. -_-“  Let’s back on topic.. hehe.. So, what is beauty in God’s way?

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward

—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart,

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is very precious in the sight of God.” -1 Peter 3:3-4

First, we should not focus on our outer beauty a.k.a. appearance, and put aside our inner beauty. Just like a saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, it means what inside the book is more important than its cover. It is similar to us, our pure hearts are more important than clothes we wear; our spiritual beauty is more precious in God’s eyes. Well, it doesn’t mean that we should not care about our appearance—it is still important—but not the most important; spiritual beauty comes first above those things.

 “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,

because I have refused him.

For the Lord does not see as man sees;

for man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

This verse is also supporting 1 Peter 3:3-4. When God commanded Samuel to anoint David to be the king of Israel, He was also reminding Samuel not to see appearance. People see us through our attitude and appearance, but He looks deep inside our heart. What a lovely God! <3

In general, Proverbs 31:10-31 are the summarize verse for women of God. Beauty is well done described on it; what we need to do in order to be a virtuous woman. A beautiful woman that is shaped and molded by the hands of God; it is the true beauty that will never fade away. Be smart ladies! Don’t be influenced with what is happening todays! And be thankful for what we have now because He created us with purpose, no one was born by accident :)   To God be the glory!