Alexandra Jensen’s lovely essay “Timeless Beauty” reveals the true beauty that God has placed in our hearts.
Please be sure to pick up Alexandra Jensen’s new book, “A Place of Grace for Moms of Littles: Live Sanctified and Set-free Through Christ in the Midst of Crazy, Busy Mom Life.”
Also, for this weeks giveaway for Behold-Her Beauty’s Anniversary please subscribe by PRESS HERE.
The Bible can produce beautiful things inside of us, beautiful things out of the dust. Alexandra Jensen #Christianbeauty #innerbeauty #spiritualgrowth
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Timeless Beauty
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4
I still remember the first time my mom took me to get a makeover at the mall. Sitting at the Clinique counter, listening to the makeup artist explain how to apply eyeshadow, blush, and mascara as she did my makeup, I felt like I had reached the next level of womanhood. Surely this is what it’s all about. I thought to myself confidently. But after years of applying makeup, fixing my hair, and selecting outfits, I have found that these external factors are not where true beauty lies. Our hearts reveal so much more about us and matter so much more to the Lord than any layer of makeup ever applied.
As women, we can be so critical of ourselves that we fail to see the creativity God has imparted to each and every one of us. The Lord has instilled in us beautiful attributes of His divine character that we tend to push aside in exchange for a lie that says we are unworthy of such royalties. When in all reality, we are Christ’s chosen, royal priesthood, created in advance to declare the praises of his glory, love, and light. We are princesses under the divine proclamation of Christ which announces us as his beloved, chosen, pinnacle delight (1 Peter 2:9).
God loves each one of us wholly, individually, and simply, as we are. He sees our flaws and our failures and loves us fully. His desire is for us. He has written a love letter to us through his creation, through His Word, through sending his only begotten son.
As a mom, I realize there could be no greater sacrifice. My love for my husband and children trumps all other earthly loves. Therefore I am convinced that Christ is the Bridegroom, the One we should ultimately pursue. He deems us beautiful. He bought us with the price of his very own life. I am certain that our doubts, insecurities, and weaknesses will never separate us from his love (Romans 8:38). His desire is for us. He longs for our hearts to be kindled with his own. He wishes at times that we would put down our makeup brushes and our phones and open up the most precious gift he has given us, which is ours to have and to hold, to absorb the light and the life it brings to our souls. God’s Word is the most beautiful gift that we have been given that can be used to cultivate the fields of our hearts to produce a bountiful harvest that reflects Christ’s glory, provision, purity, and perfect love.
The Bible can produce beautiful things inside of us, beautiful things out of the dust. God planted those beautiful things in us before time began. His desire is for us to grow and know him more fully so that the preemptive flowers of fruit begin to bud and blossom. In time our external beauty withers, but something miraculous happens in exchange. When we fear the Lord, our flowers will still lose their petals, but fruit begins to form. This fruit feeds our families and the souls of everyone we encounter. This fruit can only ripen to fruition when we have done the groundwork of planting our seeds in the soil of Christ, trusting in his timing, fertilization, and miraculous provision of rain.
He makes everything beautiful in his time, in his way. Trust in the plans he has for you. Abide in God’s Word. Let the hardships and drought seasons strengthen your faith and cause deep roots to shoot. Find the Living Water through continually digging, desiring to know Jesus more. Deep roots bear ripe fruit. Flowers may look lovely, but in time they will fade. Our fruit serves a purpose. Let the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ripen in your heart so that someday they will feed and bless the lives of others. Adorn your soul with timeless beauty by cultivating the conditions of your heart.
PRAYER –
Dear Jesus,
We love you. Thank you for creating us uniquely, beautifully, fearfully, and wonderfully, in your image. Help us to reflect the glory, goodness, and light that comes from your Holy Word. In Jesus’ everlasting name, amen.
Steps of Faith:
As you put on makeup each day, pray that the Lord would enhance your inner beauty and use you to mirror his glory.
MEET OUR GUEST WRITER ALEXANDRA JENSEN
Alexandra “Alex” Jensen is a steering team leader for the MomCo. Organization in Tulsa. She has three published books: “A Beautiful Season” “The Meaning of Motherhood” and “A Place of Grace for Moms of Littles.” Alex and her husband attend Battlecreek Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a creative writing minor and a master’s degree in math and science education. She is a former elementary school teacher. Alex is a wife, stay-at-home mother of three, and antiques dealer.
Links:
Alexandra’s new book: A Place of Grace for Moms of Littles
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Together, we delve into the beauty of life. Our God is our redeemer, and it is an ashes-to-beauty kind of story. STAY AWHILE.
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This is power-packed and beautiful. Thank you for drawing our attention to the depth of God’s intentions for us.
Thank you! Glory to the Father who makes everything beautiful in His time, in His way. <3