Our Broken Beauty
How do you define beauty?
For some it’s based on weight, size, hair color, skin tone and more. It seems like culture defines this based on what they think and approve of. We see this on magazine covers, in social media posts and from entertainment. All of these things and more send messages as to what beauty is, which can shape our definition too.
The danger of this, is that all of these things are fickle and outward in focus. When that happens it neglects the internal part of who we are so that we focus only on what others see; therefore, leaving behind what God sees. The magnet of this is strong and it can pull us into seeking the approval of others while trying to fit in, but every time this will leave us hollow and empty. This trap is real and it influences us more than we know but there is a greater truth in Jesus!
He sees Our Broken Beauty.
It’s this truth that can set anyone free. This is because, Jesus takes what is broken and makes it beautiful. You see, it’s the brokenness of our life that actually can be the promotion that He does through our life. This doesn’t make sense to culture as Jesus uses what is flawed and frees us from shame, verses culture that wants us to hide our brokenness at all cost. Notice the difference, Jesus loves our brokenness. Culture shames our brokenness.
Yet the temptation for us to define beauty by the outward appearance is very strong; therefore, we must let Jesus touch our broken beauty.
Please understand that wearing nice things and looking nice is great. There’s nothing wrong with it and I believe we should do this daily. Healthy pride is needed with brushing our teeth, taking a shower and wearing clean clothes as we put our best foot forward. God is into this and we’re all better off when we do these things daily.
However, we stand out from what He does in us verses what others see on us.
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
The humility to be under God?s hand is the empowerment for God to do miracles in our lives. Allowing Him to define beauty is a great treasure for us to live by. We are freed to rest in His provision and in His timing which causes the cares of this world to be put onto Him. When this happens, we have peace internally and we are secure in who we are in Jesus. This liberates us from the opinion of others and it causes us to embrace our broken beauty giving it to God for His healing touch. This is where we come alive. This is where we thrive. This is where we find purpose.
How do you define beauty?
Whatever your answer is, I hope that God would heal you through the broken beauty of your life, thus making you beautiful in His time.
I encourage you to embrace your brokenness. I encourage you to allow Jesus to make your broken beauty something profound. I encourage you to not hide it but to let God shine through it letting people see what only He can do. I encourage you to be under the hand of God, letting Him raise you up at the right time. I encourage you to overcome what other people think so that you can be what God thinks of you.
Life is too short to impress others and it’s too hard to cover up our brokenness. God’s way, is to let Him make make our broken beauty a place of healing and recovery. This is how we stand out and this is how we overcome.
Finally, let God into these broken places. We do this by letting our guard down and being vulnerable with Him. This can be easier said than done, but take a small step today and let it begin. All things are possible with Him and He will meet you where you are.
Embrace your broken beauty and let Jesus make all things new!
The best is yet to come,
PD