One afternoon, my daughter climbed into my vehicle and began to explain how utterly upset she was in regards to a comment made to her by someone important to her. This particular comment was intended to be a compliment regarding her appearance. However, it was said in a light that brought shame regarding my daughter’s own personal body image. These words, though harmless in intent, were a reflection of how this particular individual perceived beauty. Yet, to a preteen, these words were devastating. The words of this individual cut my daughter like a dagger. Why? The person, from which these words came, though intended from a place of love, were also framed by their own worldly perception of beauty.
As a mother, it is extremely difficult to make a preteen young lady believe that she is perfect and beautiful in her own unique way. Even as adults, we all at some point struggle with our own personal image, but what a shame when we pass this on. What if we as adults and mothers began to first shift our perspective by viewing ourselves in the image that we were created to be? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Too often we forget this important fact. To be created in the image of God is to be created in the image of perfection.
We are made perfect through His image.
We have identity rooted in the Creator that supersedes all worldly expectations. This is an absolute, incredible truth. Yet, we often forget this truth when distracted by the deceptions of the world. Ephesians 2:10 explains that, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” As God’s creation and as believers in Christ, we have a responsibility to live out this belief. We must allow our desire, focus, and purpose to radiate as a reflection of God through our own life’s ‘works’ rooted in our identity as His creation. Only then will we be able to portray true beauty as we allow His perfect image to be seen in us by how we portray His Glory to the world.After an hour of conversation with my daughter reinforcing biblical concepts of beauty, I spoke to her words that created conviction in me. “We all have things that are important to us; things that we focus on. You get to choose what is important to you, where you will spend your thoughts, your time, your efforts, and your energy; your ‘works’. As a result, your life will be a reflection of these choices.” We must take care to ensure that these choices bring out godly values rather than worldly values. We must continually seek to embrace our own unique image as a reflection of God’s perfect design. As mothers and as children of God, we live out with our glorifying works the appearance of this true beauty. Thank you God for loving us and creating us in a way that is most pleasing to you. Help us to see your beauty within us and to not allow worldly distractions to steer us away from your presence. Amen.
Your Fellow Able Mom, Pastor Donna J. Shaw
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