I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)
It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}
I tend to ponder so often about the message I’m putting out there with all this beauty, hair, makeup and fashion talk, and I confess that I have truly been in the trenches over this deep longing to know just how to live and share a life of beauty with balance.
Because sadly, the truth of the world we live in, is this:
The burden of unattainable beauty has far-reaching implications for women’s economic well-being. Not only are women in the United States spending much of their money on cosmetic products – a total of $7 billion spent per year on cosmetics1 – but they are now taking increasingly drastic measures to alter their appearances through surgical means. Money spent on cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures is increasing drastically among all women, including younger women and women of color. And the economic implications reach further, even into the workplace, where research shows that women who don’t adhere to particular standards of beauty are impacted professionally and financially. {ywca.org}
And while I was listening to a John MacArthur sermon/podcast on the topic of beauty the other day, I was tearfully overcome with just how this beauty balance message really is needed in our lives, maybe more now than ever before.
I notice us all longing for beauty, and yet we seem to all be looking in the wrong places to find it.
We spend, and we tweak, and we nip, and we tuck, and still we end up somehow feeling, often times, more empty than ever before.
The truth is, while fashion and beauty may allow us an opportunity to express who we are, nothing truly lasts or shines brighter than the light of Christ at work in our hearts.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
And as I pray and read and study the scriptures on this very issue, I keep coming back to this thought:
“We are to be adorned from the inside out, making every effort to blend beauty with grace, ultimately reflecting His light and His beauty in all that we are and in everything we do.”
This beauty balance?
It really begins with our hearts and knowing where it belongs.
It starts with our focus and on whom it should always remain…
And when we are able to humbly come to this comforting place of truth, only then will we experience a beauty that truly satisfies.
Summer I love this! I love that no matter what you’re discussing it comes back to Christ’s Word!
This was beautifully written – and your site is GORGEOUS! Enjoyed it so much!
Those statistics about how much money women spend on cosmetics is staggering. I have never been a big makeup girl. Your words confirm that its ok to wear it once in awhile but I dont need it to show how beautiful I am. That comes out in how I act, share God’s love etc. “Fearfully and wonderfully made!”
I truthfully don’t understand how some women wear makeup every day. I only wear it for special occasions (weddings, for example). Otherwise, it’s just me and my face, all of its flaws and all.
I”m sure some women out there think that I’m just not taking care of myself… but truthfully, I think I”m taking better care by not slathering myself with all of that gunk. 😀
Happy Friday,
Melissa
Fabulous post and great reminder. Now that I am 45 I am more comfortable in my own skin and I will do things like go grocery shopping without makeup or leave the house even if my hair is not cooperating!!! It has been freeing for sure!!!