You Are Beautiful

Many, many years ago while living in Brazil, an old woman across an open field stopped. She said something before moving away. Someone translated it for me. She says, "You are beautiful." I was stunned. As a man, I would have thought of words that are more to my gender like “handsome”, “rugged” or even “attractive”.

Beautiful?

It wasn't just the months of beauty preparations that Esther underwent before standing in front of the king. It was God's grace that beautified her from the inside out. It says, "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17 KJV).

Not every day do we feel beautiful. One glance in mirror on any given morning and most of us look like we wrestled in our sleep. But God doesn't concern Himself with skin's appearance but what's really going on in the heart.

We live in a cruel culture where beauty and talent are grossly elevated while character and substance is overlooked. How many actors, entertainers or some other media figure eventually reveals his or her true colors. Soon enough there's reports of adultery, substance abuse, divorce, rehab stints and some completely broke.

God told Samuel that the heart matters when picking the new king (1 Samuel 16:7). The Bible says that David was a handsome man but his looks wouldn't carry him far in the challenging years ahead. David had a heart to worship. And this is where the beauty of the Lord's presence is found.

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalms 27:4, NIV).

When we stare into the eyes of God; we are transformed - beautified by His grace - as we are being changed into His likeness.

We are loved by God no matter our looks. He sees us as beautiful when we feel less than attractive. Embarrassment makes us feel ugly but God is never ashamed to call the sons and daughters of a King. So stretch forth your hand to Him as did Esther and receive grace in time of need.

For Jehovah is pleased with His people, He beautifieth the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4 Young's Literal Translation)