by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2010
Too often we define beauty and see ourselves through other people’s eyes. God’s way of beauty is infinitely better and so freeing! We need to see ourselves for the beautiful, handsome, infinitely-valued people of God that we are, endowed with great God-purpose every day of our lives.
Beauty on the outside is passing away day by day and though its effects can be masked temporarily, nothing can halt its progress. But beauty from the inside out is eternally-ever-increasing when it is nurtured by our constantly seeking more of God and submitting to the transforming power of His Spirit at work in us.
External beauty has no lasting effect on those around us. It works nothing of true value. Internal beauty, on the other hand, cannot help but have an ongoing, positive, potentially-eternal effect. Internal beauty flows through us and touches others like a refreshing spring in the desert. As when an exquisite butterfly quietly visits a flower to drink of its nectar, thereby facilitating a bountiful harvest, the internal beauty of one person visiting others triggers something within them to begin seeking to nurture their own. Thus like a pebble thrown into a pond, the ripples from one person’s internal beauty go out to touch another and then another in an ever-widening circle, having effect way beyond what that individual will ever know.
Perhaps this is why the Bible tells us that silver hair is a crown of glory. It doesn’t mean we have to let our hair go grey as we get older, but what a beautiful reminder that our focus should be on letting God make us more beautiful from the inside out, instead of anguishing over what is passing away on the outside. In reality, no matter how we look on the outside, who we are inside is what people really see and no amount of make-up or plastic surgery will change this.
This does not mean we should ignore how we look, but we should take care of ourselves for a different reason. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and that our bodies are His temple. We are to take care of ourselves from the inside out so that we can be the best we can be for Him.
We are so blessed! When we let Him have His way with us, He transforms us day by day more into His image so we can shine like stars into the darkness, lighting the way back to Him, His freedom, joy, peace and divine purpose for all who seek Him.
What an awesome God we serve! (Selah ~ pause and calmly think of that!)
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life— Philippians 2:14-16a
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation.
