God Made You Beautiful

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom it.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

God’s creative beauty needs no digital enhancement. Whether it is a sunset or field of tulips God created everything beautiful. While we seldom feel the need to enhance God’s creation in nature or the world, we go to great lengths to make His greatest creation appear more beautiful. We sometimes feel far from beautiful. Some of us even feel insignificant or useless. Remember, God saved the best for last in His creative order. When he spoke the universe into existence he said it was good. But when he created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26) He said they were created “very good” (Genesis 1:31). You are made in the image of God – His most prized creation! You are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).

The world has defined beauty by mere outward appearance and has set the bar so high that really no one can reach it. There is an illusion of beauty that is illusive in this world. The fantasy-like images the world portrays as beautiful are in actuality far from what God calls beautiful. For example, ladies, God calls a woman who fears and loves Him beautiful. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Peter goes on to say, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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). That doesn’t mean you should avoid jewelry, nice clothes, or the beauty salon. It simply means these things do not make you beautiful. Real beauty comes from a relationship with Christ and having His characteristics. You are precious in God’s sight.

Listen, God had a plan in creating you. Even if you feel useless, ugly, or undeserving of his love, He finds you beautiful and useful. He has a plan for your life every day. Maybe you are not happy with what you see in the mirror but God is. As someone who is created in God’s image, you should take care of yourself, whether it is good hygiene, eating properly, exercising, or improving your outward appearance. But all of these cannot enhance your inward beauty. God loves and values you beyond any shortcomings or inadequacies you may feel you have. Because you are beautiful in God’s eyes, you should feel beautiful in your own eyes.

Stop trying to live up to the fleeting and false beauty standards of this world. Stop trying to mirror the beauty of those the world depicts as beautiful. You are never more beautiful than when you look like Jesus. God said in Isaiah 44:2 " I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Psalm 139:13-14 reminds me that God, “Created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You are God’s masterpiece! God intricately formed every detail of you. Your worth is found in Him! You are made wonderful just the way you are. I pray you know that full well.