I remember the day when I looked at myself in the mirror and was shocked with the realization that this was as good as it was going to get. In other words, I was past the point where my appearance was going to improve with age. Yes, that reality shocked me a bit, but it didn't make me sad. It made me determined to be the best me I could be for my age, rather than to waste away my days wishing for what used to be. Working with what God has given me, I try to steward my body well by doing things such as exercising, eating healthy, (most of the time), drinking water and moisturizing my skin. Even with all of that, time will continue to march on and this body will continue to age.
The Apostle Paul talked about the aging of our physical bodies in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being[progressively] renewed day after day." Paul admonishes us to not let the aging process make us discouraged or fearful. Instead, he urges us to focus our energies on the part of us that can improve with age as we cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit Who renews us in our inner being. No matter what happens to our outward bodies as we age, we can be so full of God's Spirit in our innermost being and personality that others see God's beauty, delightfulness and favor in us and upon us. The truth is, even if we found some secret lotion or potion that could stop the aging process, beauty on the outside cannot compensate for an ugly soul, but a beautiful soul can shine through the plainest of faces, making that face attractive and beautiful. Isaiah 53:2, speaking of the coming Messiah, Jesus, says, "For [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him." When we speak or sing about the loveliness and beauty of Jesus, it's not His physical appearance that we are worshipping, but the beauty of Who He was and is. And His beauty, His loveliness, can and should rest on us. Sure, I'd like to be a cute little old lady when I'm old, but even more, I want to get more and more beautiful on the inside. I want to cooperate with God's work within my life so that the beauty and delightfulness and favor of God is evident in my life.
still following,
Great words, Elizabeth! Aging women with that inner spiritual beauty have always left their mark on my soul.
ReplyDeleteA needed reminder and perspective for me today - thank you.
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