ODJ: mirror, mirror


May 30, 2013 

READ: Psalm 139:13-18 

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it (v.14).


When it comes to physical appearance, we’re constantly bombarded with advice. And truth be told, the suggestions found on magazine covers, in TV commercials and voiced by shop assistants—among other sources—bother me. They’re all trying to nudge me to pursue that perfect look.

One blogger wrote: “For many young men and women, our physical appearance has become the measuring stick against which our entire value and worth are assessed by. But let’s get real: as detrimental as this value system can be, it’s really hard to just ‘walk away’ from that measuring stick when everything around you is pointing you in that direction.” 


James reminds us of an important mirror that gives us a true view of ourselves. It’s the Word of God (1:23). In Psalm 139:14, the psalmist reminds us that we’re part of God’s marvellous workmanship. Just think about that! The One who made you and me is the wisest, most skillful and most creative Person in the entire universe! So no matter what size, weight or shape we are, God sees us as His creation. Beautiful. Created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). 


Regina Franklin in her book Who Calls Me Beautiful? wrote, “The moment we were created we became God’s most precious and coveted work of art—chosen, guarded, and loved. . . . We are ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ made because we have access to one of the greatest intimacies humans can know—a personal relationship with God.”


So while it’s great to ‘look good’, let’s not pursue it at the cost of our relationship with God. An hour in the gym and an hour in the front of the mirror but zero hours with God will not lead to true beauty.—Poh Fang Chia


MORE
Read 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 31:30, and 1 Peter 3:3-4 for biblical wisdom that should shape our attitude about outward appearance.
 
NEXT
How does the knowledge that you are God’s marvellous creation affect your decision on diet, fashion, exercise, beauty products and more? What does He consider to be true beauty?