Beautiful

Beauty.

What is beauty?

So subjective, so abstract, so far-fetched.

So many definitions can be given:

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Beauty is only skin deep.”

Beautiful. Lovely. Gorgeous. Pretty. Cute.

We’ve heard these words, we’ve used these words. To compliment, to describe.

I’ve been mulling this idea over in my mind recently after watching the Dove video (Real Beauty by Dove) about how women perceive themselves and beauty. Then, just tonight, I noticed how a friend had a hard time taking a compliment from someone saying she was lovely. Now, I’ve seen this happen before with other people and even myself. Why do we cringe at the thought? Why do we have a hard time smiling and saying, “thank you”? Why do we assume someone is lying when they say that we are beautiful? Pride? Fear? Because we don’t think we’ve reached the image of manufactured beauty in our heads? I see beautiful girls around me. Those with perfect sleek hair, size 4 skinny pants, proportionate facial features. I think to myself, “Man, I wish I could look like that.” Then someone tells me I’m adorable and I want to scream at them, “STOP LYING TO ME!” Can’t you tell how loving I am to them? ;)

But what really makes someone beautiful? Is there only one definition of beauty? I say yes, and no. I do think there is an absolute beauty just like there is absolute truth. But, I don’t believe we really know what it is or can ever achieve it. I believe it’s found in God alone, but that He shares it with us. He, in His wondrous, creative, and perfect way has crafted and fashioned us in what He beholds as beautiful. Created in His image. The world around us is fashioned by Him. Beautifully and wonderfully made. But, like I said before, I don’t believe we can truly see it or achieve true beauty. Why? Sin. Sin mares us, our world, and our perspective. Our own selfishness creeps in. Our skewed and perverted minds take charge. Beauty in the eye of the beholder? Yes, but that beholder is tainted by sin.

True beauty comes from Christ. The cross. The ugliest and cruelest thing imaginable is the most beautiful thing our eyes and minds can behold in this life. It brings redemption, freedom, eternal life, a relationship with a beautiful God. When we hold on to that and cherish it and let that fill our minds, hearts, souls….then we start to get a better grasp and perspective on true beauty. And that….makes us beautiful. If someone calls me beautiful, I want it to be because they see Christ. And ya know, sometimes others will see that before I will. I know my sin crusted heart…I know my struggles with sin…I know I’m not perfect and wake up every morning battling the ugliness. But because of Christ, I am beautiful. I wear His robes.

Beautiful.