Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  (Col 3:12-14)

What is true beauty?

Traditionally in our culture, beauty is symmetrical.
That means yours ears are the same size. Your nose isn’t three sizes too large. Your not missing any teeth.

Your body is proportionate. Your not extremely tall or extremely short.

Beauty comes in blondes and blues and browns and fashionable clothes. Beauty is even an attitude. 
                                                                                                          
But as I stood in church this morning, I was struck with the beauty of God’s people.

Holiness is becoming.

I didn’t see anybody in a suit. I saw some people with tattoos. I saw some real trendy and hip looking people, as well as some pretty dorky ones.

But there was a beauty about them. All of them.

You remember the song we used to sing?

Red, and yellow, black and white.
They are precious in His sight,

It’s not the color of skin that makes someone beautiful. It’s not how cool you are, or in my case, how cool you are not.

It’s holiness.

It’s Christ in you that is beautiful.

I saw a man I know whose wife died two weeks ago, lifting his hands — worshipping the Lord.
I saw a young woman, bouncing around, excitedly worshipping the Lord.
I saw her husband before the service, put a kind hand on an older man’s shoulder.
I watched as people served the Lord in really practical ways.

And as I watched, the Lord watched with me.
He gave me eyes to see His beloved church, as He sees them.

He sees you, and when you let your love for Jesus come out;
In worship,
In service,
In kindness to each other,

Your Father is pleased. 
Because you are His beautiful children.
And He loves you so much.

photo credit: Compassion. Support ’em!