Rubies Series-Day 4

The King is enthralled by your beauty.

-Psalm 45:11

The third and final heart characteristic to be covered is women's desire to unveil their beauty. "The desire to be beautiful is an ageless longing." It innocently begins in our little hearts as children, and rapidly grows into womanhood.

I am a nanny to an independent, fiery, four year old. Like a lot of little girls, she absolutely adores her daddy. Once in a while, he will treat her to a "date", which she anticipates all day long. A few days ago, we were up in her room, desperately trying to find the perfect outfit for her to wear later that evening on her date. I asked if she preferred pants to keep her little legs warm against the frigid temperatures, and she said,

"I just want to look beautiful."

Which resulted in a pink polka dot dress, and tights.

Let's go back to Cinderella...She was beautiful. Who doesn't love Cinderella? And all the other well-known princesses. How about the leading ladies of the bible- Ruth, and Esther? They all have two things in common, beauty and goodness.

"It's not just the desire for an outward beauty, but more- a desire to be captivating in the depths of who you are. Cinderella is beautiful, yes, but she is also good."

Inside and out, we desire to posess a beauty that is worth pursuing, worth fighting for, a beauty that is core to who we truly are. The essence of a man is strength, while the essence of a woman is beauty- another God-given characteristic of ours. This doesn't mean we are all blessed with the "perfect figure" or a slim waistline, but we all posess a soulish beauty. He gave every woman this trait. But this is part of the misunderstanding of all our female qualities. Some women use their beauty for good, and some use it for evil, but let's take a look at God's message to the world-in the feminine form.

Ever heard someone say, "Wow, she's well endowed"? I have. "So, God endows Woman with certain qualities that are essential to relationship, qualities that speak of God. She is inviting. She is vulnerable. She is tender. She embodies mercy. She is also fierce and fiercely devoted. As the old saying goes, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' That is just how God acts when He isn't chosen. 'I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god!' (Ex 20:5) A woman's righteous jealousy speaks of the jealousy of God for us."

Don't be ashamed if you desire to be beautiful. Just remember, your soul is what will make the eternal difference, because beauty is powerful. And to posess it we must be willing to suffer. "Yet, if Christ Himself was perfected through his sufferings, why would I believe God would not do the same with me? Women who are stunningly beautiful are women who have had their hearts enlarged by suffering." Consider your trials and tribulations a blessing- You're becoming more like our precious, Jesus. And remember, ladies, you have a stunning beauty that's just waiting to be unveiled....