Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. [1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)]
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I nearly didn’t go to church last Sunday. Early Sunday morning, I thought of all the excuses I could use to justify my absence but the Holy Spirit convicted me on every one! I had no excuse but one: vanity! And that excuse just wasn’t satisfactory to Him! You see, because of a dermatological treatment, my nose is bright red. By bright red, I mean if it was Christmas Eve, I could give Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a run for his money! My foolish vanity had made me self-conscious.
Reluctantly, I went to church and, as I do every Sunday, took photos for the church website. That afternoon, while editing my pictures, I pondered the meaning of beauty. I looked at the faces of the people I’d photographed. Some were old and wrinkled (actually, this being Florida, most were old and wrinkled.) Some faces were heavy, others gaunt; some wore smiles, others were serious. None of them would win beauty contests but they were beautiful just the same. The faces of the people who donated blood at the blood mobile before church were beautiful; they were giving the gift of life. The faces of the people who set up the chairs, handed out programs, or served coffee were beautiful; they were giving the gift of kindness. The faces of the choir and band members were beautiful; they were giving the gift of joy. The faces of the veterans who stood to be honored were beautiful; they had given the gift of service. The face of the preacher as he gave his message was beautiful; he was giving the gift of insight and hope. The faces of the congregation were beautiful; they were filled with the love of Jesus.
Father, forgive us our vanity and keep us from confusing outer beauty and appearance with the inner beauty of the soul.
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. [Saint Augustine]
Devotions of the Heart 