OK-this is going to be short, sweet and to the point because I have a haircut in 45 minutes. If you are new to my blog, that is a statement of celebration because I have post-leukemic hair and I am very grateful that I have hairs to cut!
It’s funny that I am headed to a haircut, because that’s exactly what my short and sweet point is about. External Beauty. I was reading from the book of Isaiah this morning (ya, I know that’s weird, but it’s where all the Christmas prophecies are from so I read bits and pieces of it every Christmas season). I read something in chapter 3 that i have never read before. God is talking about the rebellion of the people of Israel, specifically the women, in these verses. He says that the day will come when He will “snatch away their finery; the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.” A couple quick comments: one; apparently, I am a severely under-accessorized woman and two; i gotta get me a veil, a headdress, a cape, a nose ring and a tiara! That woman had it going on! Notice that it didn’t say much else about her appearance. It reminds me of a story, a real life story, that my friend told me about 20 years ago. A woman who worked in her office was rather loud and rather large. She came to work one day wearing loud clothes and jewelry and makeup to match. Her husband happened to work there too. When he walked in the room and saw her, he said, “well, if you can’t hide it-decorate it!” (try not to get side tracked about ways to have that man killed).
That statement is more true than most of us want to admit. We aren’t happy with what’s inside so we distract by dressing up our outsides. Or maybe we aren’t necessarily miserable on the inside, but we definitely spend much more time perfecting what other see with their eyes and a pretty sad amount of time examining and improving our insides. Our character. Nurturing our spirit takes a back seat to the energy we waste decorating our outward appearance.
God says that there will come a day when “instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.” In other words-God sees and cares about what is on our insides. All the decorating in the world will not distract Him from who we truly are. This season-as you decorate you home-maybe it’s time to be more focused on the love that’s happening-or not happening inside it. And as you decorate your body for the next Christmas party-take time to consider if you are rocking the outfit on the outside, but know full well that your insides have a stench and your head is bald (I’ll try not to take that personally…). This isn’t an indictment…It’s an invitation. God is inviting you to draw near to Him and let HIM adorn your life with HIS beauty-inside and out.
