“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle quiet spirit which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:3,4).
One morning as I stepped outside into the fresh morning air, I noticed the birds that had been up for a while. The small finches were singing their hearts out and happily flitting around from tree to tree. Their songs filled the air with joy and lifted my spirits. How I enjoyed them! Though they are not showy and beautiful birds, they bring so much joy into my world.
And then I heard a blue Steller’s Jay. Their blue feathers glisten when the sun shines on them. They are beautiful. But their loud, raucous cries got my attention, and the sound was not at all pleasant. They are noisy and aggressive birds — notorious as nest robbers — and devour small birds. On occasion they have attacked cats and humans.
I don’t know who said it, but people’s beauty, like blue Steller Jays, is often only skin deep. However, God wants our beauty to come from within. And even though we should work at keeping our bodies in good shape and wear clothes and hairstyles to make us look good, taking time with God and His Word beautifies us from the inside — our hearts. God looks at our hearts.
Have you ever evaluated the time you spend on your outward appearance compared to the time you spend reading the Bible and praying? Think about it. What is the most pleasing to God? Do you need to rearrange your priorities a little?
Father, we want to be what You want us to be. We realize that we should take care of our outward body because we are the temple of God, but we know that Your desire is that we have a quiet, gentle, beautiful spirit so the sound that comes from our mouths will bring joy to others. Help us prioritize our time and activities. Amen.