For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1Corinthians 6:20
Beauty is important, there is no mistaking that. But it is possible to make a mistake when deciding whose beauty is most important: ours or God’s.
As I was thinking about this issue recently, I had a somewhat goofy thought (the natural product of a goofy gal). I started to think of this beauty decision as simply this: Do I want to be an hourglass or a magnifying glass?
As an hourglass, we will live each day as if our beauty is most important. Anything that tells us we’re not beautiful enough has the potential to devastate us - especially if hormones are in play. We will be desperate to do all we can to maximize our own beauty. We might spend money we don’t have on clothes, make-up or cosmetic procedures. We might work our bodies to exhaustion in an attempt to be perfectly firm, tone, and perfectly shaped – like an hourglass. Thoughts of our own beauty, whether good or bad, will occupy our minds regularly.
As a magnifying glass, we will live each day as if God’s beauty is most important. Anything that tells us God is not beautiful will devastate us, and we will strive to make decisions that glorify Him. In the Greek, that word glorify from 1 Corinthians 6:20 means “to magnify.” Are we living our lives in such a way that when people look at us they see the beauty of the Lord more clearly? If so, we’re being a magnifying glass.
So this is the question we must ask ourselves: When people look at me, do I want them to be amazed with my beauty, or with God’s?
We don’t have to look a certain way to magnify God’s beauty. I think some of the best “magnifying glasses” I’ve ever seen were the exact opposite of worldly beauty. I remember seeing a guy on YouTube who had no arms or legs. Someone would set him on a table, and he would share life-giving and empowering messages with school kids - encouraging them to love the life God has given them. I couldn’t help but be amazed with God’s beauty as I watched him. He’s a magnifying glass.
And think of Mother Teresa. An elderly gal with a lifetime of wrinkles and drab clothing, but absolutely adorned with the beauty of the Lord. It’s nearly impossible to look at pictures of her loving on the world’s hurting without seeing a little more of the heart of God. She’s a magnifying glass.
I think I’ll put a post-it note on my bathroom mirror (and maybe several other places) that says, “Be a magnifying glass today!”
Wanna join me?