Brace yourself. Transparency is about to unfold and TRUTH is coming out.
P.s. This ain’t just for us gals, it can apply to you guys too!
All right y'all, it's time to get down to it. Vanity is the subject here. It’s a real thing, and so is insecurity, and A LOT of us struggle with it. The way we feel about ourselves simply becomes obsessive. It was not until this past year that I started praying to God to reveal any vain OR insecure part of me and help me rid it so that I can focus on what I truly look like… on what I look like on the inside, not the out.
As I dive deeper into this subject, believe me when I say, I am preaching to myself, not just my audience!
Alright, so how much time do you spend in the mirror working on your outer appearance versus time you spend working on your inner (your heart) (People can see your heart too, ya know.) For the majority of us, the outer typically outweighs the inner by a lot.
Whether you are too insecure about the way you look, too confident or too obsessed, all can be translated into a form of vanity; in fact, John Calvin, an influential French theologian, pastor and reformer during the Protestant Reformation, once said “The human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked out with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself.”
I find the validity of Mr. Calvin’s words to be backed by various verses in the Bible. Jesus tells us in God’s Word that vanity is sin. Proverbs 21:4 reads “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” I think we can all admit that sin, no matter what sin it is, comes fairly natural to each and every one of us, so why not talk about how we can overcome them? ..But seriously, who in the world wants to admit that their mirror is their best friend?! That’s a hard one! #transparencyunfolding
On this note, let’s remember that our outer appearance is a worldly concern and can quickly come into association with sin, which separates us from God and keeps us from reaching our potential as His child and His disciple. (Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God..") 1 John 2:16 reads “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world."
Alright, so remember how I said I faced my reality and confronted God about it? Well, I did this because I realized it was one of the things in my life that needed to be addressed before moving on in my desire to serve Him. My ultimate purpose in life was truly starting to set in and I simply knew that for me to fulfill my purpose, I needed for my heart to truly be as pure as possible so it can reflect His light without others doubting my authenticity. I knew I needed things that actually matter in life to matter way more to me than my physical appearance. I’ve found Psalm 119:37 to be a very relative verse and prayer for this very matter - “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
With all this said, I can attest that the most amazing feeling you will ever have about yourself is knowing yourself in Jesus, who you truly are in Him...looking in the mirror and being able to see a reflection of a people-loving, God-fearing heart. Even if you are still trying to “live it out” and learn His ways, there is no better feeling than knowing that God is your ultimate beauty guide!
What you look like on the outside will only get you but so far in life and will only affect others but in so many ways. How you look on the inside can reach others and beyond and can make a more positive affect in this world than you would ever dream about. God wants to use your heart to do amazing things!
The Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7 “for [the LORD sees] not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” We are to worry less about what others think about our outer appearance during our short time on earth and more about how beautifully our hearts reflect God and all that matters for the long-hall - eternal life - Heaven. We are to recognize what struggles we face that are “of the world” and work hard to develop a relationship with God that will transform our hearts and minds to be a better servant until the day we are called Home. In Colossians 3:5, we are told to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Galations 5:16 reads “I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
My encouragement is that we all see ourselves as His precious artwork that He has molded and painted to be something amazingly special, but in order for this, we have to tune into our relationship with Him and allow Him to give our hearts the makeovers they need. God has created us in the likeness of Him and every single one of us has been made to serve a divine purpose during our time on earth. We are to use our bodies, our faces and our features to glorify Him and do His work.
On a side note, ya’ll know “glamming” up will always be fun for me and of course I see nothing wrong with wanting to be your healthiest, feel your healthiest and look your healthiest. If this means exercising a little more than others, eating a little healthier than others or putting a little bit more effort into your appearance than others, I think it’s fine and dandy. After all, we are enhancing the natural beauty God has given us when we make ourselves to look presentable and feel great, ..right? The problem is when it become a bit of an obsession..
Remember 1 Timothy 4:8 - “For bodily exercise profits little: but Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” I like to interpret this as a statement that reiterates the importance of not getting too wrapped up in the things that are of the world and are temporary and to remember what our ultimate goal should be - living for Jesus and the promise of eternal life. It’s great to stay in shape but staying spiritually in shape is top priority!
When you look in the mirror what do you see? How do you feel? Who are you aiming to impress that day? Think about the type of impression you are trying to make on others. Is it lustful? Is it sinful? Does it cover up too much of your natural beauty? Does it cover up God's beauty?
Ladies and gents, here's a tip when you get ready in the mornings: Talk to Jesus! Reflect on things in life that matter to you and Him. Establish spiritual substance in your heart that will help over rule the temptations and insecurities that stem from worldly desires.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable and the perfect will of God.” ~Romans 12:2
I would encourage you to take a look in the mirror and when you do it, search deep within, don't just look on the surface, look on the inside, deep down inside.
Ladies, remember “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” ~Proverbs 31:30
Also, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” ~1 Peter 3:3-4
(He is telling us gals to remember where real beauty is - the heart!)
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“Many people would be scared if they saw in the mirror not their faces, but their character.” -Unknown
..I truly believe that the definition of great character originates from morals, values and godly expectations that we are taught His Word. I can only pray every day that my inner light will shine through my outer shell and that my character and heart will reflect as much of my Savior as possible. After all, “..our outward man perishes, but our inward is renewed day by day.” - 2 Cor 4:16
I mean, let’s face it, Carrie Underwood is SMOKIN’. But ya know what’s even hotter?... her soul that’s on fire for Jesus! Her passion for walking with Christ and desire to be His light while in the spotlight is what sets her apart and allows her to plant seeds for Christ simply by first being beautiful in Christ.
We can all plant seeds everywhere we go too. I believe the importance in taking our next step into godliness is greater now than it’s ever been. Considering the conflicts and ways of our current world, it is becoming more and more evident we are facing the days in which the Bible predicts could be our last.
With that thought in mind, think of how your heart’s transformation could not only change your future and allow you to live out your divine purpose, but could lead someone else to an eternal future with Christ. Let’s encourage one another in taking those steps into becoming who God is calling us to be and to furthering the Kingdom of Heaven!
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
By the way, the word vanity doesn’t just cover “appearance”. It covers excessive pride in talent, possessions and achievements as well. ..Just some food for thought!
I realize this was a lengthy blog, but I am so thankful that you kept reading. I hope these words were a blessing and encouragement to you and that you light up someone else’s life by passing it along.
Today, you’ll hear the song "Different" on Christian radio by Micah Tyler - a beautiful and amazing prayer for transformation! Listen and be moved!
