beauty.

Last Sunday, one of the pastors at my church talked about inner beauty. More specifically, he talked about 1st Peter 3:1-7 (you can read the full passage and in different versions here).

One of the parts of the sermon that has since become my focus this week are verses three and four.
"Don’t try to make yourselves beautiful on the outside, with stylish hair or by wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, make yourselves beautiful on the inside, in your hearts, with the enduring quality of a gentle, peaceful spirit. This type of beauty is very precious in God’s eyes" (1st Peter 3:3-4, CEB).

As a single college student, I too often forget about inner beauty. I spend my days on a college campus, after all. But I think this is a good reminder for me. It reminds me that I don't have to focus on my outer appearances and that a true man and follower of Christ will love and accept me for who I am. My makeup-less face and all. That's right, people. I don't wear one lick of makeup. Is that weird? Probably, considering I'm on a college campus everyday. But, at the same time, being makeup-less has made me to realize that outer appearances aren't everything. The great thing about college is that most people by now have accepted themselves and are able to truly accept others as well. In middle and high school, however, I felt like I was always talked about or stared at. Now that I've grown up a bit (ahem), I feel like I'm not only okay with who I am, but that I'm okay with everyone else and don't care as much about what others say. Yes, I said "as much." I'm not perfect and I do have my bad days.

In regards to verses three and four, I don't think this means that God doesn't want us to take of ourselves. In fact, I think that he wants us to take of ourselves so we can share his love with others. I think that  there's a fine line between taking care of oneself and being obsessed with one's outer beauty. And I think that's what Peter is trying to tell us ladies.

Anyway, the pastor at my church also talked about how God made us. He created us in his image and he sees us ALL as beautiful. And considering he made me this way--acne scars and all--I know that there's not only a reason for this, but a good one at that.