Yesterday I posted this picture on Instagram. I was so close to smoothing out the wrinkles first that I even searched the App store to see my options. And you know what? If the one I liked had been free I may have. But God used that small charge to keep me from going there.
Now if you’ve doctored a picture, had Botox or a surgical procedure I am in no way condemning you. I get it, believe me!! I mean we color our hair, wear makeup, braces and diet so where do you even draw the line? I for one am dying to replace my gray tooth with an implement. So, you can see I’m conflicted and therefore do not wish to impose “rules” on anyone on what should or shouldn’t be done.
But it did get me thinking though about the dual message in our culture– and in our hearts.
On one hand, there has been an influx of body positivity campaigns reminding us:
While on the other hand, prevalent in our culture is the idea that our genetic, physical bodies are not who we are because it is our feelings that determine our personhood. The problem with this worldview is it’s very low-view of God’s good design and purpose in creation. Even though this platform elevates human rights, it actually serves to devalue humanity without us even realizing it. I’m not going to delve any further on this topic here, but I do recommend reading Love Thy Body to better understand and compare the two differing schools of thought and how it plays out in regard to many of today’s big issues from abortion, euthanasia, gender identity and hook-up culture.
Ironically though I would argue that even those of us who ascribe to a biblical worldview and high-view of creation often act in ways counter to what we say we believe. For instance, we say God created us beautifully, and affirm the body positivity messages– as far as it applies to others. But we see ourselves with a critical eye and are constantly working to make ourselves better.
Now I’m not talking about balanced eating and a healthy approach to exercise because we are called to take care of our bodies so they function as God designed. But to borrow from a post I saw on a nutritionist friend’s feed, ask yourself why you exercise. Or, why you like to dress cute?
Motives are telling.
I like to exercise because it gives me energy and makes me feel better. But this isn’t always why. I like to dress cute as a creative expression of who I am. But again not all the time. Sometimes my motive behind exercise and dressing is to gain your approval. Because if you think I look good and affirm me in this way than I feel good about myself, as if my worth is based upon your opinion.
The same could be said as to why I want to swap out my gray tooth, smooth over my wrinkles, and color my gray strands. Now hear me again, to care about our appearance in and of itself is not wrong. But when we exert exorbitant amounts of time and resources perfecting our outer bodies we need to evaluate why.
- What are we worshipping and seeking our identity in?
- Why we do what we do when it comes to our appearance (and everything else)?
- Are we looking for others to worship us? Have we made ourselves our own god?
- Do we only feel good about ourselves when we have the affirmation of others? If the scale says a certain number?
- What about what God says is true about us? Does His opinion – His truth – matter less than what other people, or we think, is true about us?
This may challenge us in ways we don’t want to be. But, I raise these questions not to make us feel bad but to consider how we live and think reflects our theology.
Had I smoothed out the wrinkles on my picture I would’ve been speaking a lie. A lie built upon youth and perfection as the standard. A standard I can never live up to and will grow empty trying to achieve. And for what? So you approve of me? So I can feel better about myself when God already accepts and loves me as perfect!
“…beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).”
So on the occasion of my 47th birthday as I wrestle with this myself, I am asking God to help me age with grace and wisdom… and to see the wrinkles I bare as a reminder that true beauty radiates from within and grows brighter the longer we continue on finding life and light in the One who is making all things new.
