As I age, I think more often that I ought to cherish my youth while I have it. I love clothes, and when I think about what I'm going to wear some days, I confess I think I better wear that now while my legs still look good.
I suppose if I confess it all to you, I have also thought that I better wear this now while I can still walk. It may not wear the same if I'm in a wheelchair.
It's not something I think about often, but it has certainly crossed my mind (and is perhaps something I should repent of in my vanity!). And yet, He knows the fine crevices of our hearts, and He knows even the fleeting thoughts we hurry through in hopes that He (or even we) might not register them.
However, lately I have been so struck by the beauty of older women. Women who have age on their faces and wrinkles that tell a story. These are women whose hearts give their faces grace and hope and a different kind of beauty than our world covets. I long for the wisdom that makes them glow, and yet I confess I also fear the mountains and trials that have forged those qualities in them. But my fear cannot last long when I see their nearness to God. It brings to mind one of my favorite verses in the Bible: But as for me, it is good to be near God (Psalm 73:28).
I always tell the young people in my life, THE BEST IS YET TO COME. And I believe that with all my heart. Because, you see, for the one who professes Christ as Savior, eternity is to come. And with each passing day, He brings us closer to that day when we will be with Him forever. And with each passing day here on earth, I pray He will make my heart more like His and my beauty a product of His grace--that people might see the light of Christ in me. That they will not dwell on my clothes or my figure but rather on my heart. I pray that, I too, might dwell on these things when I look in the mirror, tearing down what our culture tells all women: you looked your best in the past. You are only beautiful when you are young. You only have value if you look the part.
This is false. This is a lie. God's Word is TRUTH. And his Word tells us much on beauty. May we read these verses and be reminded that we are not living to please a culture. We are living for the glory of God.
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.4 Rather, 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.
1 Peter 3:3-4