Incomparable Beauty

What's the first thing you think about when you hear the word.... beauty?

When you google it tons of pictures of "beautiful" women pop up.  The image below caught my attention.  Does it make you feel good to know that all those models have on tons of make-up and are all airbrushed and stuff... or is it just me??

I am going through Beth Moore's Esther Bible study with the ladies at my church right now.  The scenario from week 2 is still on my mind, so I thought I would type it all out.... for myself, and anyone else that ever struggles with the same insecurities.

I have found, that it doesn't matter how beautiful a girl is, there is always something they want to change... there is always something more they want to fix.  The outside things we do to beautify ourselves are in no way bad, but who are we trying to impress?  Who's eyes do we want looking at us?  Beth Moore put it this way, and I love it...

There are women that.....

 ...want all the other women to think they're beautiful. And they are miserable.

...want all the men to think they're beautiful.  And they are dangerous.

...want nobody to think they're beautiful.  And they are depressed.

...want a select few to think they're beautiful.  (like your parents and/or husband...) And they are on the right track, but still need to remember these verses.

^"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority"

~Col. 2:9-10

"I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me." ~Songs 7:10

"And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do."

~Psalms 90:17

I need to remember that there is a beauty that is not comparable!

And, that is the beauty we have because Christ is in our lives.  Esther was no doubt beautiful on the outside, but what made her different from the other girls... how she won the favor of all those around her... how she became the queen of Persia... is because of the beauty our God gave her on the inside.  She was humble, likable, endearing, obedient, wise, patient, and beautiful!

He has clothed us with salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), and He makes us holy & clean (Eph.5:25-27).

May we all strive for the incomparable beauty of The Father to shine through us.