Behold the Beauty (Part 3)

Have I mentioned... He calls YOU beautiful? 

This was actually the title of a great speech given by one of our keynote speakers at the Women's retreat... Hollie shared a lot of great points, many of which you might find lurking in this post.

God created us in HIS image, specifically "Imago Dei." I doubt many of us would have the cajones to call God anything but beautiful, marvelous, worthy, beloved.... So why would we do that to ourselves if we are made BY Him, IN Him, as a reflection OF Him? 

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them...God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." 

--Genesis 1:26-27, 31.

When we tear ourselves to pieces, convincing ourselves that we aren't good enough, smart enough or straight up not beautiful enough, we aren't just dissing ourselves... We are knocking God's awesome creation! He made each of us different for a reason. Some people are tall, some short, some round, others thin, red/black/brown/blonde hair, big nose, little lips, each and every piece of us he made with a purpose. He didn't just put thought into our creation-- he put his LOVE in us. Into our hearts. Our inner selves. HE MADE US BEAUTIFUL!! 

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4

He calls YOU beautiful... He is your suitor, constantly wooing you, whispering sweet words into your heart. He adores you-- every single part of you, from the freckles to the "bad hair days" down to your slightly crooked little pinky toe. He revels in your beauty, even when we don't act very beautiful or are battling some ugly things in our hearts. He loves us unconditionally-- and that will never, ever change, no matter how you act, what you wear or how much make-up you have on.  He calls YOU beautiful-- because He loves you!

“‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared." Ezekiel 28:12-13

He thinks you are so beautiful and worthy that he gave His one and only son for you. Trust the Lord and understand that He knew what he was doing. You are the most beautiful one he ever laid eyes one-- He's crazy about you!! 

"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you." --Song of Solomon 4:7

So my dear reader, as I close out this beauty-driven blog post series, I have a final plea for you. Next time you are bashing on yourself and have any kind of thought other beauty towards yourself, please remember: God calls you beautiful, from the moment that you stumble out of bed to the instant you lay your head on the pillow and everything in between. 

Please, call yourself beautiful. Say it outloud. Right now. "Thank you God, for making me so beautiful. I am blessed to be your masterpiece." He is beautiful and you were made in His image... even though sacrificing his beloved son on the cross was painful, ask Him about it... and He will tell you that it was SO worth it. He calls you beloved. Call yourself beloved. Call yourself beautiful.

Why? Because you ARE!

Remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder-- and He is the supreme beholder!

Head over heels in LOVE with Him,
SGK

"Bravo, God, Bravo! Everyone join in the great shout: Encore! In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might." --Psalm 96:7 (MSG)