I reject the modern American culture’s connotation of physical beauty. The beauty of a person lies within the heart and soul. So many are rejected today because they don’t fit the mold. Here’s what one individual decided to do about it. Now THIS is beautiful…

The people in this video have no doubt experienced our culture’s rejection. All their lives they have seen what is deemed pretty and “desirable” in our society displayed in the windows, photographed in magazines, and portrayed on movie screens. And they could never be that image of perfection. Maybe they even thought they could never be desirable. Then one day they are asked to come for a new project. Were they told beforehand what it was? I don’t know. Yet what unfolds is a dual unveiling: a physical redefinition of a desirable model and an underlying word of truth and life: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. The light of worth radiates from their smiles.

It’s not just these extremes that have been lied to about their beauty. I admit, I have believed some of the lies, too. In my teen years, for sure. I needed new jeans, new shoes, a gorgeous new dress for the prom….As a young adult now, the lies are more subtle, but just as present. They are more internal, often inserted into my insecurities. They tend to be hidden in corners of my heart, sometimes not even visible to me. I wish I had a guy pursuing me like she does….Maybe if I had her haircut I’d feel more confident….If only I didn’t have this health issue going on, everything would be fine….

In these moments, I need to remind myself, I AM BEAUTIFUL. Why? Because beauty is unique, not uniform, and I am formed by One who doesn’t use a mold. He crafted me with his hands. There are two ways a potter can make pottery: 1) pour the liquid into the mold and fire it, or 2) slop the mess onto the spinning wheel, and shape each piece uniquely with his very own hands. As the Potter, God chooses method #2. He not only molds me, but he reshapes me until He knows I am exactly as I need to be for His purposes in my life.

There’s a story that I think relates to this above video. It’s called, “At the Potter’s House”:

“‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.’  So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand'” (Jeremiah 18).

My favorite part of the story is when the pot is “marred,” or scarred, tainted, scratched, disfigured, blemished–basically, messed up. The potter didn’t throw away the blob of clay and start over. He took the mess and shaped it into something different, something beautiful. That’s so encouraging to me. God takes my insecurities and defects and creates something new and intrinsically good–not perfect–but exceedingly good.

I want to share with you a beautiful illustration of God as the Potter of our lives. My friend Dave Blakeslee is a potter by trade and shares some great wisdom in his message, “The Potter’s Talk.” It just might transform the way you think about your own beauty…when you begin to see from the eyes of the Potter.   (2 recommendations: start at the 15 min mark of this message and turn the volume down on the player if you hear buzzing.) 

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or find clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty…which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Do I think it’s wrong to by new clothes? Of course not. Do I think it’s somehow unholy to take time to dress up for a party? Um, no. I’d be a hypocrite if I said yes. Pizzazz it up! But do I still reject the culture’s definition of beauty? Absolutely. I believe these things that are evident on the outside of a person are meant to enhance the internal beauty. I’m talking about the source.

Have you been rejected? Lied to? It’s time to redefine.

So what makes you beautiful?