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On Campus: Beauty and Appearance

I’ve found even though I am in college, I make the mistake of judging others based on appearance. Wasn’t that suppose to end in high school? I try not to, but it happens. If that were not enough, I also judge myself based on my appearance.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14).

This verse reminds me that God was purposeful in how He made me. I wasn’t an assembly line baby, God made me a unique and loved creation.

We know that our value and beauty don’t lie in how we look. We have all heard that message time and time again. So then why can’t we stop focusing on appearance?

The Lorddoes not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).

I have to consistently and constantly remind myself that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. I know that I have definitely let my inner beauty go at times. I spend too much time focusing on my outer appearance and loose track of the real me, the me that wants to serve the Lord with all my heart, undivided by the craze for beauty.

What’s amazing is that God forgives me! God sent his son to show exactly what perfect inner beauty looks like and through His death and resurrection, make us in His beautiful image.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  (Colossians 3:12)

Those are the kinds of clothes that make us beautiful. But how do I find an outfit like that? If that is what it takes to be beautiful, I still miss the mark.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)

Not only does God notjudgeme based on my physical beauty (or lack of), but in Christ He doesn’t judge me by my inner beauty either. When God looks at me, He sees that I am clothed in Christ. When God looks at me, He sees Christ and says Iam beautiful!

With that confidence, I am free to develop my inner beauty without the dread of failure. In response to his forgiveness, I want to develop my inner beauty in thankfulness. I want others to see Jesus in me.

In Christ you are beautiful. That assurance gives you the confidence to live joyfully and boldly no matter how you feel about your looks!

Published October 8, 2014

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