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I’m Convinced
Nobody cares.
I’ve grown up a girlie girl always concerned over the hair and make-up. I used to spend hours getting ready to go out at night (even leaving my guests waiting as I changed outfits a million times). It used to take me 10 minutes to put on mascara (because I’d take a needle and separate my lashes one-by-one). In the past, I’ve gotten completely ready, not been happy with my hair, and started all over.
But I was born this way. Really!!
When I was around 5 years old my dad took me out to teach me to play tennis. He would toss the ball. I would swing the racket, miss, and ask him to wait before throwing it again. Then I’d set my racket down, fix my hair, and carefully pick the racket back up before starting the cycle over again. I don’t know if I ever even hit one ball. Oh well.
The older I get the more I realize people really don’t care as much about the outside as they do about the inside – and for good reason. I can go out all “prettied” up but if I bite someone’s head off, they won’t be impressed that each of my eyelashes has been thickened and lengthened (and there’s no clumping or flaking). But I can go out without make-up (without getting horrified looks I’m happy to announce), smile at someone, and make their day.
So I’m convinced that nobody cares how much time I spend on my hair and make-up but I’m also convinced that the way Jesus tells us to live isn’t only a command but the BEST way to live.
Matthew 23:25b, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
Matthew 23:27b-28, “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Of course these verses have much deeper meanings than just outward physical appearance. But as I look at how long I lived only focusing on the outside… I value inner beauty more than ever – in myself and in others. I hope to always remember to clean the inside and let that radiate outward.