Chasing the Wind

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Proverbs 31:30

Encouragement for women; don't allow outward appearances to define who you are. The world will say you have to be or look a certain way in order to be loved. For instance, I have found it interesting that when there is a great singer on American Idol, the coaches will tearfully claim how much they love them. I can't help but be thankful that God doesn't base his love on our talents. I have also seen women flipping through the latest celebrity magazine claiming how much they love or dislike a celebrity based directly on their looks. "Oh I just adore her" or with a snarling frown "She is just not that pretty". I'm also thankful that God doesn't judge us based on outer looks. In fact, we aren't valued by God by outer appearances at all.

"For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7b

We all want to look nice. We all want to be healthy. However, could it be that you are seeking acceptance from others or are you satisfied with what God thinks of you? Again, don't misunderstand. God says our bodies are his temples and we would do well to take care of them. Gluttony and drunkenness are sins that affect this temple for instance. Ask yourself what motivates you though? How do you judge yourself? How do you measure up others? Is it enough that your creator isn't so concerned with the external as he is what's in your heart? 

The road to true contentment is the reality that God isn't looking for beautiful people. He is looking for those who love and cherish what he thinks above all the other pursuits of this world. King Solomon once acknowledged that the pursuits of this world are all vanity; here today an gone tomorrow. You can obsess over staying young, but in the end we all lose. You can obsess over maintaining a perfect figure (and when you achieve it think your life has changed and you've found happiness), but what about when the weight comes back? You can obsess on proving to distant memories of high school classmates that you are good enough, beautiful enough, talented enough, strong enough, but in the end what does it really matter? You'll forever be chasing and grasping at the wind.

As I pray through these last few thoughts, I realize that this is probably as much for men as it is for women. We all think we have something to prove. We try to be something we are not.  We try to quench our thirst, but always come running back for more. The only answer is to know who we are in Jesus Christ. Let all of the other worthless pursuits be laid to rest. He is the only one that can give you the joy and contentment that you really need.

13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again."  - John 4:13-14a

- Scott Hescht