“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Isn’t it amazing that when God created man and woman, He gave them different characteristics that are unique, but at the same time represent His nature? When we look at the essence of a man, it is portrayed in strength. This is shown when men take their rightful role to provide for us, protect us, speak up for us, and shield us from emotional harm and spiritual attack. A strong man represents the Warrior characteristic of God.
Stasi shares that strength is what the world longs to experience from a man. “The strength of a man is first a soulish strength—a strength of heart. And yes, as he lives it out, owns it, inhabits his strength, he does become more handsome. More attractive. As the fruit of an inner reality.”
The Essence of a woman on the other hand is Beauty, which represents the Captivating side of God. In the Captivating study guide Stasi notes that “Beauty is a hard subject for women to talk about. Our desire for beauty has caused us countless tears and untold pain. The world’s view of beauty is unattainable for the majority of women… and yet we long for it.”
Our longing to be beautiful has led us to compare ourselves with others. We have bought countless magazines, tried every diet ever created, bought beauty products just because our favorite actress or model is advertising them, our hair has gone through different phases (some days we want it short and straight; other days we want it long and curly). Still at the end of day we feel the same—we don’t feel beautiful enough, tall enough, slender enough, and the clothes don’t fit the way they did on the mannequin.
It is not wrong to look beautiful. We decorate our homes and put flowers on the table. We wear perfume, paint our toenails, color our hair, and pierce our ears, all in an effort to be ever more beautiful. However, much of our struggle to accept who we are comes into play when we have bought into the ideologies of the world which idolizes outer beauty.
The Bible teaches that every woman is made in the image of God. Every woman bears His image in her heart and carries within her the very essence of Beauty. Apart from God, beauty gets twisted, used, and abused. Being beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean a woman has a beautiful heart.
I heard this profound statement from one of the sermons of Bishop T.D. Jakes, “What is happening on the outside is a reflection of what’s going on the inside.”
Girlfriends, Beauty starts on the inside—deep down your heart. When you believe that you are beautiful from your heart, it comes out on the outside and it doesn’t matter whether you are wearing yesterday’s fashion or today’s trendy clothes. Your beauty radiates on the outside and it is seen by the way you carry yourself, the smile on your face, the way you talk, and the way you view life.
Beauty that comes from the inside is what this world longs to see from us. It is such Beauty that speaks and people listen, it invites others in and makes them want to stay forever. It is beauty that nourishes, comforts, inspires and it is transcendent. It is this Beauty that draws us to God.
I want to bring us to the verse in 1 Samuel 16:7. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.‘” God gave Samuel an assignment to go to the house of Jesse to anoint a king. Jesse brought out seven of his sons and paraded them for Samuel to choose. Jesse felt that they were suitable for the job but each and every one of them was rejected. I am sure these men were tall and handsome, muscular, and probably had a military training as some had been part of Saul’s army. As much as their looks and build were concerned, they should have made the cut. However, that’s not what God was looking for. Apparently, there was another son, the youngest of them, who was out in the wilderness taking care of sheep. No one remembered to call for him when Samuel arrived so they had to send someone to get him. When David came, the Lord told Samuel to anoint him as king.
David was the least among his brothers and no one took notice of him. But the Lord did. The Lord saw David’s heart as he took care of the sheep, the way he rescued them from the lions and the bears. David spent his time talking to God and getting to know Him. This time was not in vain because it was what prepared David for the role of a lifetime, Israel’s king.
This may be your story, no one has noticed you and has not seen how beautiful you are. You are the last to get the invitation to a party—if the invitation is even sent. You are considered as a chaperone for your sisters, the least to be offered anything. You long for someone to see the true you. Do not be discouraged because the Lord knows and sees your heart. He sees how beautiful you are and He calls you His beloved. Let your beauty shine because that is the essence of who you are.
“Beauty is the most essential and, yes, the most misunderstood of all the feminine qualities. We want you to hear clearly that it is an essence every woman carries from the moment of her creation. The only things standing in the way of our beauty are our doubts and fears, and the hiding and striving we fall to as a result.” – Stasi Eldredge
Be Blessed!
Jackie
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LET’S PRAY:
Dear God, You are beautiful and I believe I bear Your image. But You know that I don’t feel very pretty let alone beautiful. Would You please come to this place in my heart…this core place…and reveal to me Your own beauty? Please heal the places in my heart that have been assaulted and hurt regarding beauty, and establish Your truth here. Do You think I am beautiful? How? Why? Please help me, Jesus. It’s in Your name that I pray. Amen.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
When we speak of strength as being the essence of masculinity, we are not talking about big muscles. In the same way, when we speak of beauty as being the essence of femininity, we are not talking about a woman’s outward features. If God dwells in your heart by faith, and God is altogether lovely, what does that say about your new heart?
About Jackie Chingawale
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Captivating: Chapter 8 – “Beauty to Unveil – The Essence of Woman” (pp 128-132) – Girlfriends Coffee Hour