clothe yourself with beauty

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."

last night's sermon was both funny & provoking. pastor Chris was preaching on 1 Peter 3:1-touched on gender roles & how men & women are to relate in the context of marriage. beyond that, he also highlighted the difference between what the world values as beautiful in a woman and the kind of beauty that God values.

the world constantly busies, obsesses itself with how to look better, younger, slimmer... the worldly woman is fashionably fickle and capricious.

yet God calls me, the christian woman, to clothe myself not outwardly, by inwardly with gentleness and a quiet spirit - a beauty that will last forever.

i know this idea isnt new but i was convicted again how often i get caught up w looks myself. im probably not the vainest girl in town. in fact, there are times i find myself feeling self-righteous next to friends/colleagues who seem alot more materialistic/superficial - i think: im not as bad as those pple who queue up for hours at the mango sale or do manis every wk. (haha not that theres anything bad with manicures or mango - dont take offense!) But growing up with well-to-do, goodlooking friends & american tv has made me value outward beauty alot more than i should. im guilty of an envious heart and obsessing about my weight, skin, clothes, shoes too (as some of you wld know, i want a skinnier face!). its one aspect of 'living in the world but not conforming to it' that is really hard for me, the urban christian girl.

even as i struggle w God to uproot the warped values in my heart, i wondered what really is that elusive "gentle & quiet spirit"? last nite's sermon shed some light.

in the context of marriage, the wife is to trust God & submit/obey your husband even when its tough (in my own words: even when he is stupid!). thats why girlfriends, one must choose wisely :)

for the christian single, i think the passage still applies. we are to seek meekness, a humble and submissive attitude, to not be quarrelsome or destructively assertive... to accept, revel in our God-given, God-created feminity & its limitations :)

so for me, im working to change "my wardrobe". not that ill be dawdy here on, but to ask God to re-work my heart in this area. transform & change me Lord, that i may be clothed in true beauty... one that pleases You & lasts forever.