God Likes It When I Look Good
- sdzimmer86
- Mar 25, 2015
- 2 min read
While flying one day, I sat next to a self-proclaimed agnostic. In the course of our conversation, I told him I was a minister returning from a conference. He stared at me and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look like a preacher. I mean, you look good...I mean...normal."
He went on to point out that I had bright red hair, leather boots, dark nail polish, and trendy jewelry on. He asked why I dressed that way and not more religious. My answer shocked him. "I believe God created every part of me. When I express who I am and what I like, it brings glory to my Creator."
He paused thoughtfully, and responded "That makes sense. I never thought about it that way. What an interesting concept."
We were able to have an in-depth conversation about God as a result. While the man didn't have a miraculous conversion over my clothes, it is possible he left with a different perspective of God.
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This converstation sparked a question inside of me. Could it be that God desires to use our outward appearance to reach the world around us? I mean, why couldn't He? He is God.
Let's imagine for a moment, that God, in all His creativity, created us to be entirely unique and wonderful (Psalm 139:14). What if, when we express the identity that He has placed inside of us, we bring glory to Him and are a light to the world around us?
God did not make us to be clones. He loves diversity. He created you to be your own person. No one looks like you, thinks like you, feels like you, or sees the world like you. Those differences are valuable. We each contain unique beauty in every detail of our being and it is God's gift to us and the world around us.
It is bad enough that the world tells us how we should dress and what we should look like to meet their standard of beauty. Unfortunately, I've found that the Christian community can be just as oppressive. I don't mean to step on any toes, but I take issue with the pervading religious and traditional acceptance that holiness and godliness only look a certain way. Many people lump self-expression with vanity, pridefulness, carnality, and a host of other vices. I am frustrated that many christians judge one another (and the world) based solely on their outward appearance. I will remind you; man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Sam 16:7). If you cannot see a man's heart, what right do you have to judge who he is and is not?
God makes it clear that what is most important is what is on the inside of man. As believers, we have more awesomeness inside of us than anyone could ever have without God. Our outer appearance should be a reflection of what is inside of us. It should not not hide it OR distract from it. Be free. Wear what you feel good in. Do not be a slave to your appearance, but at the same time don't neglect it thinking that is holy. When you are yourself, God gets glory.
It's okay, be you-tiful!
Happy growing!