I remember the old fairytale “Snow White”, the wicked witch would look in the mirror and ask it who was the fairest woman in the land. Looking back at this children’s story today, I think about how it was a waste of time and that it taught me the false notion that being attractive was very important. Some would say it is harmless entertainment but when it is looked at from a Biblical worldview, it’s not harmless. Especially when viewed by young eyes that do not have the discernment to know better.
Our culture has more regard for appearance than for substance. The image we portray has a higher value in our current society. This kind of worldview is especially esteemed among the women. Hollywood and the entertainment industry create an image for women that is not achievable for most.
Do any of you ladies ever have these kinds of thoughts about your image?
• I’m not thin enough
•I have to starve to lose weight
•My clothes never fit just right
•My skin is never smooth enough
•My makeup always smudges and wears off so easily
•My hair never looks the same as it did when I left the beauty shop
Why do these kinds of thoughts plague our minds? I think the problem lies in the first word of each bullet point. It’s me, myself, and I and this is exactly who Satan wants us to focus on.
The enemy has successfully taught that our outward appearance is more valuable than our hearts. Christian women have believed this lie too.
A few years ago when my youngest daughter was in high school, we did a Bible study with some of her girlfriends. We talked about the importance of our personal devotional time in God’s Word, and in prayer everyday. They were all at the age of heightened concern over appearances, yet they also had a desire to seek God.
We were talking about how much time they would spend in devotions. I gave them a challenge to spend at least the same amount of time with God as they spend in the mirror everyday, or even better, give God more time than the mirror.
This challenge caught them off guard. We were reading in 1 Peter 3 and discussing modesty and how our outward apparel is a reflection our love for Jesus. But it all starts in our hearts. The more we seek the Lord, the more He changes us and makes us holy.
Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
We see in this verse that our appearance can be deceptive. Outward beauty is empty, it is only skin deep and it does not last. But a woman who worships God, she will be honored.
I noticed a verse in Exodus during my personal devotional time this week that jumped out at me. Towards the end of the book God gave Moses specific details and instructions on how He wanted His tabernacle built. The Israelites were given by God, wisdom and skills that were needed to complete this divine task. One of those details included the pieces to the altar.
Exodus 38:8 “And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
At the entrance of the tabernacle, ministering women assembled by the door. They were there ready to be used of God. They could have remained back at their tents with the majority of the tribes just going about their personal business, but they chose to be close to the place of worship.
The devotion and zeal of their worship is expressed in the parting of their mirrors. Looking at their own reflections were not a priority. The lookingglasses they owned were given and used for building the altar. The place of sacrifice.
Wouldn’t you rather spend time in worship, seeking God to perfect your heart through His Word? Beauty is fleeting but the heart goes on.
The vanity mirror will never reach your heart. I want to encourage you to look into the mirror of God’s Word. (James 1:23-25) Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
In Times Like These 