“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6

We spend an inordinate amount of time and resources investing in our outer appearance. How many products did your face dawn today? No shame in this game. I’ll go first! With this devotional in mind, I counted the number of products and supplements (not to mention tools) I used, all in the name of health and beauty. Somehow, I managed to swallow or slather on more than twenty products – all before 9 a.m. No argument. We give the body ample attention. This, of course, begs the question, how much time do we spend adorning our inner beauty? Our heart, spirit, and soul – how much time and intention do we pour into making sure they reflect the ultimate source of beauty, Jesus? I don’t know about you, but if I’m honest, I can confidently tell you that they are grossly out of balance. It’s an interesting consideration, isn’t it? As Christians, why do we often profess our faith in Jesus and yet often find it challenging to look like Him to a watching world?

I’m challenged by a quote from Thomas Brooks that says, “A Christian’s life should be nothing but a visible representation of Christ.” Does that sting a little? It does for me. When I stand before my Savior, looking Glory eye-to-eye to answer the ultimate question – what did you do with the name of Jesus – will it point to His legacy or mine? Will people remember good hair, glowing skin, or what size my pants were? Or will they say of me, she reflected the love of God? Sister, isn’t our grandest honor to be a child of the Highest God? And don’t we all desire lives that declare His glory? How, as women of God, can we be purposeful to enhance our inner beauty? How can we model Christlikeness? What steps can we take today to invest more in eternal beauty than the fleeting reflection we see in the mirror? Let’s pray and ask the Lord to move on our hearts that we might be the living reflection of Christ.

Faithful God, you are so beautiful. We live in a culture that esteems physical beauty so highly. I confess that I find it easy to get caught up in that and forget that you see far beyond the face or body. You see beauty in the heart. Lord, I ask forgiveness for the unbalanced investment of time, thought, and resources I pour into each. Will you move on my heart this day and cause me to profoundly understand the high call to reflect Christ to those around me? Please help me to spend time each day adorning my spirit with yours. May I go from glory to glory, and may your radiance also be the source of mine, I pray. In your glorious name, I ask, amen.