Where Does Your Beauty Lie?

"I've met a lot of beautiful women, and after I get to know them they're not so beautiful..." Crystal Stewart, Miss USA 2008


Proverbs 31:30"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. "

There's an interesting story about the Queen Mary I'd like to share:

"Commissioned in 1936, the RMS Queen Mary was the most awe-inspiring ocean-going vessel in the world. She was 1,019 feet long, at 81,237 tons displaced twice the tonnage of the Titanic, had 12 decks (the promenade deck was 724 feet long), and carried 1,957 passengers attended by a crew of 1,174. Transformed from a luxury linter to a troop transport in World War II she carried 765,429 members of the military to and from the European war zones. The Queen Mary was retired from regular passenger service in 1967 after making 1,001 Atlantic Ocean crossings, and is presently harbored in the port of Long Beach, California. Even today, her magnificent and gleaming exterior cuts a beautiful profile against the blue waters of the Long Beach harbor. But when the Queen Mary was retired from active passenger service, it was discovered that part of her gleaming exterior was hiding something far less attractive and substantial.

The Queen Mary's three elliptical smoke stacks?36 feel long, 23 feet wide, and ranging from 70 down to 62 feet in height-were made of sheets of steel over an inch thick. During her decades of service, at least 30 coats of paint had been applied to the massive smokestacks, forming a shell around the steel interior. But when the smokestacks were removed for maintenance after her decommissioning, it was discovered that they were nothing but shells. When lifted off the liner and placed on the docks, they crumbled! Over the years, the thick steel of which they had been made had turned to rust from long exposure to heat and moisture. The beautiful exteriors of the smokestacks revealed a rusty, crumbly interior that spoke not of beauty and elegance but of deterioration and decay. The external appearance was hiding the internal reality. . . .

2 Timothy 2:20-21 "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

1 Corinthians 3: 10b - 15 "...But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. "

We are uniquely, beautifully created for a specific purpose on this earth. No two are the same. We have talents and gifts that no other can match exactly. Yes, there are those that seem prettier, more proficient, better accomplished and just "have more" but that is neither what is important nor what defines us (at least it shouldn't or we're in for real disappointment!). It is not about seeing what we have not but rather what we have, appreciating it, and doing something with it! And what God will get from what we have and do with it will ultimately be the only thing that will matter and last.

Ephesians 2:10"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Proverbs 11:18"The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward."

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

1 Peter 4:10"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Song of Solomon 6:9"but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her."

Real, authentic beauty reflects the light and splendor of God's creation and perfect work in us. It displays humility, graciousness, and compassion. It is NOT perfect in man (or woman). It asks for forgiveness and provides forgiveness. It is more than skin deep. May we all see the great beauty God has bestowed on and all around us, may we praise Him for it, and may we never waste an opportunity to be beautiful to others for Him. Blessings.