God’s Measure of Beauty: The Heart
by David River
Love Prescription (Rx) #32
Theme Songs: Measure of Beauty ~ Lindsey Kane
Love Will Make You Beautiful ~ The Afters
October 25, 2006
~ Love makes everyone beautiful.
As I have observed women and their needs over the years I have noticed many things but one of the observations I have made is that women tend to struggle deeply with their self-image especially in regards to physical beauty. As I have read articles, books, and had conversations with women, most of them feel that they simply are not beautiful enough or thin enough. Because they feel this way they go to extreme measures to make themselves more beautiful.
What is so odd to me is that movie and music stars often have the very same struggles as everybody else even though society at large considers them to be the "beautiful ones." It seems obvious to me that just because you are considered beautiful by others does not mean that you don't struggle with this very same issue.
Many women believe the subtle lie that says, "I'll never be pretty enough, I'll never be thin enough, I'll never look like so and so…I'll never….I'll never..." What happens is that we compare ourselves to others instead of to God's standards of beauty. Because we do, many are haunted by these thoughts which ultimately result in despair and increasing attempts to make oneself beautiful.
There is only one solution I know and it is to counteract these thoughts with the truth. And so today I wanted you to see the truth behind some of the models that we see in photos and then take a look at how God defines true beauty in the Bible.
Shocking isn't it? It's no wonder women have such a difficult time believing they are beautiful. The standards to which they compare themselves aren't even real.
What does God say about true beauty?
God has one standard for true beauty and it has very little to do with externals and everything to do with the heart. Although it is important to take care of our bodies and look as nice as we can, God desires a beautiful heart far above all else. And how does God define a beautiful heart?
A heart that is totally in love with Him and is fully devoted to
obeying everything He commands.
And if this is God's standard of beauty, then I think it should be ours too, don't you? Consider what God says about external beauty and the heart:
He (Jesus) had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (I find it interesting that God didn't even make His own Son physically attractive. That should tell us something about what God values.) Isaiah 53:2 NIV
Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance (David's brother Eliab) or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (Although Eliab was more attractive and more "kingly" looking than David, God chose David instead of Eliab to be the King, because David had a "heart after God." 1 Sam 16:7 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart…Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mt 5:8 NIV
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Tim. 1:5 NIV
Do not desire her beauty (an adulteress) in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids. Prov. NAS
Measure of Beauty
Lindsey Kane
All beautiful you are my darling
There is no flaw in you
I am enthralled by your beauty
I have to look away
By one look of your eyes
You ravish my heart
My sister, my bride
Fearfully and wonderfully made are you
Cheerfully and beautifully formed are you
I will give you eyes to see
The way that I measure beauty
All beautiful you are my darling
There is no flaw in you
I am enthralled by your beauty
I have to look away
By one look of your sweet eyes
You ravish my heart
My sister my bride
Fearfully and wonderfully made are you
Cheerfully and beautifully formed are you
I will give you eyes to see
The way that only I measure beauty
Jesus give me eyes to see
The way that only you measure beauty
You are beautiful
Yes you are to me
You are beautiful
Fearfully and wonderfully made are you
Cheerfully and beautifully formed are you
I will give you eyes to see
The way that only I measure beauty
Reprinted by permission of Lindsey Kane
Lindsay Kane in Concert:
Today through Sunday Lindsey Kane will be in concert in Titusville and the surrounding areas bringing her "Measure of Beauty" message as well as many other songs she has written. If you live in the area and would like to attend one of her concerts please go to www.myspace.com/lindseykane2.com for more info.