That Looks Beautiful on You

In our culture today, we are constantly inundated with beauty tips. Through many forms of media we are promised that anti-wrinkle creams, the latest fashions or even cosmetic augmentation will somehow improve our lives and fill the emptiness we feel inside. But, from God's perspective, our physical qualities are of least importance. God sees our inner self, our heart, and our soul. We cannot fill the void in our lives by “fixing” our external appearance. Physical beauty is lovely, but it does not last nor does it bring us true joy. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

Some of the most wonderful words I once heard a husband say to his wife were, “That looks beautiful on you.” This Christian sister tells that those words were the greatest compliment she had ever received. Was she wearing a particularly nice looking outfit when her husband spoke them? No. Was her jewelry something out of the ordinary? No. But what she was doing at the time he said those endearing words is what makes the statement so special to her. You see, she was reading her Bible.

Her husband had been watching her and observed her actively spending time with the Lord.  He saw the beauty God was producing in her and through her and he praised her for it. What a blessing! This husband could see that God’s Spirit was with his lovely wife and he admired the qualities that God was developing in her. “But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Can we all develop this kind of beauty? Certainly! As we turn our lives over to Christ and seek to deepen our relationship with Him, He will transform us into new, beautiful creatures. This true beauty will be seen in our lives through the fruit we bear. As we turn our focus to the Lord, our hearts are changed and our true beauty, the beauty of Christ, will shine for all to see.