Surrender is Beautiful

This last week I struggled to look in the mirror and not pick out every flaw and magnify it. I was laser focused on the blemishes that appeared that I lost sight of what truly matters. I had a Bible study with a sweet friend of mine, and as we sat down she asked how I was doing and I immediately responded with “I just don’t feel pretty this week.”

We went to Proverbs 31 and verse 25 says “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” She clothes herself with the characteristics of God. It mentions nothing of her outward appearance or how she fixes her hair or applies her blush. My friend reminded me of 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I was reminded that throughout the Gospels the appearance of Jesus was not focused on, nor mentioned. It wasn’t a priority. The focus was how He treated people, and served, and sacrificed. I lost sight this week and when it says that God knit me together in my mother’s womb - it’s not just outward features. It’s my heart. Knowing you are loved in your heart translates to a confidence that can be seen on the outside, but the confidence should not be rooted on a scale of beauty. Pimples pop up. Weight fluctuates. Hair gets cut. Wrinkles form. We were born to look human, not like a filter. True, genuine beauty is found in a heart surrendered to Jesus. It is not the pretty face of the Proverbs 31 woman that makes her more precious than rubies - it’s her heart.

Jesus has a beautiful heart and I pray everyday that mine resembles His more each day. We will be known by our love. Focus on Jesus and loving people. You are beautiful inside and out, but most importantly - you are loved.