2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Exodus 21-22 GW; 1 Peter 3 GW
“Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.” (1 Peter 3:4 GW)
Internal peace expresses beauty.
Physical beauty is fleeting. If nothing else, age takes its toll on outward appearance. But inner gentleness and quiet radiates beauty. Beauty and the Beast is a classic example. Belle, beautiful on the outside, falls for the heart of an ugly monster. As she gets to know him, she falls deeply in love with his kind and gentle ways. He radiates loveliness in his actions, which are the result of his pure heart. Who couldn’t love him?
God knows the beauty that lies within our hearts. He understands the outward appearance isn’t the whole story. When we judge on outward appearance only, we’re missing the largest part of the story. Some of the most beautiful people I have met did not possess physical beauty. But the loveliness they radiated from within created a far more artistic picture.
Focus on the inside.
Spend your time cleansing your heart. Allow God to search your soul for areas of darkness. Let His light shine into the spaces that aren’t at peace. As God heals the brokenness inside, beauty will radiate from within your soul. God’s light will shine through you to the world.
“The sermon on the mount is a statement we will live when Christ is getting His way with us.” Oswald Chambers
When you allow God into your heart, you will experience His blessings. Your soul will overflow with God’s goodness, your life a reflection of it. Your beauty will come from your pure heart, one that promotes mercy, peace, and righteousness. From within flows rivers of loveliness to the world around you.
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Lord, how beautiful You are. As we seek You today, help us see internal beauty. Forgive us for judging by outward appearance only. Help us to look deeper into the beauty of the soul. Search our hearts, cleansing them of any impurities. Fill us with your gentleness and peace so that we can share them with the world. Let us live the sermon on the mount as we let You have your way with us. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Who is an example of beauty from the inside in your life?