Day 6 - Changing Fashions

Beauty Misconception: Clothing/Fashion 

"Your adornment must not be merely external -braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."

(1 Peter 3:3-4) 

It is so easy to get caught up in the misconception that to be beautiful and noticed we have to have the latest fashions. There is something about a new article of clothing that makes us feel more confident and beautiful. We long for the new fashions. Yet, fashions keep changing. So, we are buy one thing that we think might satisfy our longing and before we know it there is something better on sale. Are we trying to fulfill our desire for God with a material possession? 

I have definitely stood in front of my closet wishing that by staring I could magically make a new dress appear. I can convince myself that if I had that then I would feel beautiful that day. If I'm not careful, I can let my apparel determine my attitude and self-confidence. Yet, when I do get that new dress, the feeling of confidence in my beauty that it gives me only lasts a few hours or days. Eventually, when I see the next best dress or another girl with something I like more, I'm left feeling dissatisfied once again. 

Maybe this feeling of dissatisfaction is actually a blessing from the Lord. He does not want us to be so wrapped up in fashion that we forget about the soul that we dressing. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus uses a simple flower, the lily, to shed light on this. He recalls Solomon, who was a king arrayed in colorful robes and gold, then he says, "I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these [lillies]." The Lord saw the simplicity and purity of the lily as more precious than the most expensive worldly adornment. Solomon's robes faded in comparison to the beauty of the lily. This reminds us that the beauty of the clothes we are wearing cannot compare with the natural beauty that the Lord has given us. We should be less concerned with what we put on our bodies and more concerned with who we are within our bodies. 

Don't get me wrong, clothing is not evil. In fact, if used correctly, it can help draw attention to the beauty of the soul. We can express our femininity and true beauty with clothing. Furthermore, feeling good in a new dress is not a bad thing. Yet, if we let ourselves believe that clothing can determine our beauty and worth then we have let Satan win. The Lord tells us that WE (our souls) are more beautiful than anything that we can put on. A lily is beautiful because it is precisely what God created it to be. It is simple, it is natural, and it is clothed in perfect white. We are also called to be simple, natural, clothed in the perfect white of holiness, virtue, and purity. 

Today's scripture from Peter reminds us that our adornment must not be merely external. In this season of prayer, let us examine the "hidden character of the heart" and adorn ourselves with holiness. 

Today's Challenge: 

During Lent, we practice almsgiving. So today, go into your closet and choose one thing (or a few!) to give away. As you do this, pray that the Lord will help you to detach from the desire for clothing and in its place give you a greater desire for holiness. 

Today's Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, transform my mind and my heart so that I will long to array my soul in beauty more than I long for the passing allures of material things. I want to be beautiful like the lily. Help me to become holy. Amen.