It’s all about looks. If you don’t have the right look, forget about it. The right look is crucial to attract friends, customers, buyers, takers, etc. If something looks good to us, we’ll try it. If we like the looks of a car or boat or outfit, we’ll buy it. Why? Because looks are everything.
We learn from an early age in school that the best looking kids get all the breaks. They have the most friends. They’re the teacher’s pet. They get the benefit of the doubt. Later in life, we know that the beautiful people continue to get the promotions and raises and better opportunities.
Appearance makes the impression. I noticed as a young pastor when I visited people in the hospital that when I wore a suit and tie, no one would stop me and ask me where I was going or kept me out of the most restricted areas. On the other hand, if I showed up in casual attire, I’d often be stopped even if I were wearing a hospital clergy badge.
We focus a lot of our time and energy on our appearance. It takes my oldest daughter an hour plus primping and preparing to get ready for the day. My guess is that she’s not the only one. We worry incessantly about what people think of us. We don’t want to give a bad impression. Thus, we’re susceptible to peer pressure. We ago along with the crowd, make poor decisions so that we’ll be liked or accepted. We cross the ethical line if it gains favor with someone of importance to us.
The problem with putting on airs or trying to look good in front of people is that it may offend God and in a sense betray ourselves. What kind of life is it when you spend all your energy trying to please others? Even Jesus couldn’t do that. The one we should be trying to please is God. It’s often been said that we should be living our lives for an audience of one, that being God. Easier said than done.
God created us in His image. When God finished creating everything else He said, “Good.” When God finished creating you He said, “Very Good.” You are uniquely created with all the gifts, talents, attributes God designed especially for you. God’s not concerned about outward appearance. He’s concerned about the heart, your heart. Living for Him is the only thing that really matters in the end.
God, I going to live to please you today. Help me find my sense of self worth, value and purpose in you.
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