Beauty
Beauty is a difficult word to define. In fact, it can have very different meanings in different languages. For example, in Japanese it means something like humility and in Hebrew it means to glow or bloom. The Bible uses the word in a variety of ways, but the highest expression of beauty is seen in God. Thus, in one sense of the word, beauty is something that evokes a sense of worship. So it is safe to say that to experience True beauty is to live a life that embraces and expresses the beauty and goodness of God. The following Scriptures help us understand this concept:
Psalm 27:4
God is the ultimate source of beauty and the one to whom our gaze is drawn:
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. †
Psalm 27:4 5
As we gaze upon God, our mind focuses on that which is true and beautiful:
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.**
Isaiah 62:4
The prophet Isaiah foretells of how God will transform us from people who feel forgotten to those intimately connected to Him:
It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," and your land, "Married"; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be Married.*
Psalm 139:14-15
As God is beautiful and good, so is everything he makes—including us and our bodies. Did you know that? Our bodies are good!
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.**
Isaiah 52:7
Often, beauty comes not from the appearance, but the action of a person, such as bringing good news:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, Breaking the news that all’s well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, “Your God reigns!” **
I Samuel 16:7
This passage does not say that a person’s appearance or body is unimportant as is often taught, however it does reveal that God’s judgement is not based upon how we look. Instead, God recognizes that we are whole people (body and soul) and that he knows what is most true about us:
But GOD told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart.” **
Zephaniah 3:17
When God does look upon us (body and soul) and our identities which are fused with Christ, he takes great delight in what he sees:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. **
Colossians 3:12-14
Putting on a beautiful dress is not wrong, neither is a desire to look nice, but ultimately our beauty is defined by a different type of wardrobe; a wardrobe of character:
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. **