As I left the hospital Sunday evening, my attention was drawn to two little boys cavorting back and forth in the corridor, jackets winging behind them. In their father’s arms nestled their baby sister, barely visible in her hooded pink coat. Mama and Daddy were deep in conversation.
While passing them by, a strange phenomenon caught my eye: Mama was barefoot.
One of my alter egos, Sherlock Ruegg, began ruminating why a woman who was otherwise well-dressed for a Midwestern March evening, would be without shoes. Did she just receive emergency care for one or both of her feet? There was no sign of bandages.
A few moments later as I loaded my belongings into our SUV, the family of five came into view again. Poor Mama was still barefoot and hobbling along on her heels, no doubt to lessen the impact of freezing cold pavement on her feet.
Then I spied the evidence I’d missed before, and the explanation became clear. Mama was clutching stiletto heels in her hands. Obviously, the pain inflicted by the shoes was worse than that of frigid concrete.
(Don’t these look comfy for a long trek?)
Oh, what we’re willing to suffer in order to look fashionable, glamorous, and beautiful.
“Beauty” became my word of intentional focus for 2019 when I kept encountering such quotes as:
“Beauty is a fountain,
emanating from the core of our souls
and bubbling outward,
overflowing.”
—Kristen Armstrong,
Work in Progress
What lovely imagery Kristen provides for the beauty that begins in our souls and bubbles up to our faces in cheerful expressions, ready smiles, and twinkling eyes. Such beauty overflows into deeds also.
But an ever-flowing stream of loveliness is impossible to maintain on our own. We must allow God to do the work within us.
“God in his mercy
is shaping us into
what is useful and beautiful.”
—Eugene Peterson,
Run with the Horses
And what does our Heavenly Father consider beautiful? (I’m pretty sure high heels don’t make his list.)
Thus far I’ve collected these descriptors and scriptures:
- Strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25)*
- Wisdom and kindness (Proverbs 31:26)*
- Encouragement, peace, blessing, and witness (Isaiah 52:7)
- Godliness and good works (1 Timothy 2:10)
- A reflection of his glory (1 Corinthians 3:18)
- A calm and gentle spirit (1 Peter 3:4)*
Such a fountain of beautiful attributes can’t help but overflow into the lives of others.
“Every time we reveal [God’s] attributes…
share the good news of Christ…
reflect patience in the middle of an upsetting problem…
smile from the heart or offer an encouraging word…
we are displaying the beauty
and glory of our God.”
—Joni Eareckson Tada,
A Quiet Place in a Crazy World
That’s the key to effervescent beauty. It’s not about our reflection in the mirror; it’s about reflecting to the world the beauty of our Heavenly Father and his attributes (Psalm 34:5a).
“Those who look to him radiant,” wrote King David (Psalm 34:5a).
And just what does radiant mean? In part, glowing or emitting brilliance.
Think of a fresh, dew-drenched rose or a multi-faceted diamond glittering on black velvet or the dancing glow of the Northern Lights—all examples of radiance.
What’s our response to such sights? We’re mesmerized, compelled to stare and take in the glory of such luminosity.
Radiant beauty does that; it seizes our attention.
Just so, there is within all of us the potential to be captivatingly beautiful people—drawing attention to our God of luminous Light who is perfect in beauty (Psalm 50:2).
* * * * * * * * * *
Heavenly Father, as I strive to take in all your glorious magnificence, may I be open and mindful, allowing such meditation to achieve full effect upon my heart. Then I’ll become transparent, able to reflect your beautiful, radiant Light.
(Psalm 19:14; Colossians 3:1; Philippians 2:14-16)
*Yes, Proverbs 31 highlights the virtuous woman, and 1 Peter 3:3-4 also addresses women, but such qualities as strength and dignity, wisdom and kindness, composure and gentleness, are mentioned elsewhere in scripture and are just as attractive in men. Am I right, ladies?
Art & photo credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.pexels.com (Daria Shevtsova); http://www.pexels.com; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.flickr.com (Javcon 117); http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 