Beauty

In my years of struggle and heartache, I developed a low self-esteem. I became very good at hiding my lack of confidence. However, my pastor knew because he was counselling me at the time. My pastor gave me the homework of looking in the mirror every day and telling myself I was beautiful. I tried, but I felt self-conscious, silly, and I really had a hard time believing my words. I quit my homework until the Lord showed me a different perspective…his perspective.

One of my favorite things to do is gaze at the night sky. The stars and moon are so incredibly beautiful! They stand out like shimmering diamonds against the ebony cavern of the sky! One night the Lord asked me if the moon was beautiful on its own.

No, Lord, I replied. It is just a gray, dusty rock.

What makes the moon so beautiful?

The light it reflects from the sun, I answered back.

Does the moon have a purpose?

Yes, I said. The moon controls the timing and speed of the tides coming in and out, which then affects life on the sea shores.

Just like the moon, my Father explained, you are incredibly beautiful when you reflect the light of my Son. Your beauty does not come from you alone, but from you reflecting him. You have a purpose like the moon I created. However, you are much more important and your purpose is much greater than that of the moon’s purpose. You are beautiful because I created you, and I love what I have created!

Now, I can look in the mirror and honestly say I am beautiful! I can believe my words because the beauty is not my own, but that of my Savior’s.

And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. Ezekial 16:14