OUTWARD ALSO BEAUTY PLEASES HIM

Recently, I was thinking about how we sometimes overlook the fact that God is interested in both inward and outward beauty. Throughout the bible we read stories of certain characters being described as beautiful;

Rebekah- Genesis 24:16- Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her…

Esther- Esther 2:7- And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful.

Job’s daughters- Job 42:15- In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job…

Joseph- Genesis 39:6- Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

David- 1 Samuel 16:12- So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with [f]bright eyes, and good-looking.

When I first started working with my current organization, a colleague used to tell me that I did not behave like born-again Christians and this was because I would paint my nails, and wear lipstick, perfume and trousers. I also used to sometimes put dreadlocks in my hair or plait it with a bit of tint. She, on the other hand, had short, leveled hair and she wore her natural scent. I remember that the day she held a graduation party, she declined to invite me and later apologized saying that she just could not stand the idea of members from her church seeing me because they definitely would not be pleased.

Studying the word of God has helped me gain the understanding that God loves beauty- on the inside (which is the most important bit)- but on the outside as well. I learnt that I ought to protect this beauty by walking in faith. And what does walking in faith mean, in this case? It means nourishing my body by eating a balanced diet, exercising, drinking enough water, smiling more often, and dressing well among others.

From today, as a believer in Jesus Christ, believe that you are beautiful or handsome and start walking in that truth. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise!