Desire for Beauty

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
(Psalms 66:8-12 NKJV)

Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear;
Forget your own people also, and your father's house;
So the King will greatly desire your beauty;
Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
(Psalms 45:10-11 NKJV)

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves. (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV)

In the book Your Captivating Heart, Stasi Eldredge draws her readers to "unveil the beauty, romance, and adventure of a woman's soul." She wonderfully describes that our Creator designed women to be beautiful, men to appreciate beauty, and beauty's many forms.

Women go to ridiculous and even painful lengths to enhance their physical beauty, desiring admiration. Our nature to do so is put there by a God who wants to look upon a beautiful bride, and wants His church to spare no effort to make herself attractive with the beauty of holiness.

Holiness is simply freedom from sin in every form, and being clothed with love in every form. God goes to even painful lengths to cleanse us from the sin and pride which hurts us and mars our beauty, clothing us with His own garment of righteousness. Our desire for beauty compels our cooperation. The goal is to look like Christ.

Oh Lord, there is no greater contentment than to bask in Your love and beauty. Our hearts gladly praise and worship You in return. Give us a longing to be beautiful for You. Make us so beautiful that You can no longer restrain Yourself from returning to us.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy