As I was skimming through my favorite section I came across a book called The Lost Art of True Beauty by Leslie Ludy. I recently read a book called When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy and loved it, so I thought I would try this book.
The Book is the set apart girl guide to feminine grace. I am so excited to read this book because I have been Christian for quite sometime but I am very new at becoming the woman God wants me to be in this world. God has such a different pattern for our feminine beauty as women, He wants one that reflects His glory and not the empty charm of this world. I'll say it again...
One that reflects His glory and NOT the empty charm of this world. Wow... that is powerful. As Women, our beauty should be elegance, grace, nobility, and lasting loveliness. Not in a physical aspect, but that of a selfless aspect. Words like enthralling, enchanting, breathtaking, stunning, delightful, and noble should be the description of every set-apart, Christ-built young woman. God created us to shine with royal beauty, not to dazzle with a self-promoting beauty; but to be a sparkling reflection of the stunning beauty of our King.
"Listen, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your own people also, and your father's house; so the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him... The royal daughter is all glorious within... her clothing is woven with gold." (Psalm 45:10-11, 13)
"Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the maidens." (Song of Solomon 2:4)
"Her clothing is fine linen and purple... Strength and honor are her clothing." (Proverbs 31:22, 25)
I love these verses for so many reasons. We as Christians are set apart, we are NOT of this world, just like Jesus is NOT OF THIS WORLD. Same goes for women, we are women who are NOT of this world. We are set apart as followers of Christ, we are violating the norms all throughout society by how we Love people, how we dress, how we carry ourselves, and who we follow. Like a lily among thorns, we stick out. We are the beautiful flower, not the thorns... we are a light in the dark. It's the dazzling blend of ladylike grace and [selfless devotion] that makes a truly set-apart young woman.
--When Christ overtakes a woman's life and transforms her from the inside out, she becomes truly feminine- a picture of elegance, grace, and loveliness blended with sacrificial selfless devotion to her King. She becomes a true lady, carrying herself with poise and confidence, yet deflecting all attention away from herself and toward Jesus Christ. She is enchantingly mysterious, holding her inner life sacred and guarding her heart with quiet tenacity.
It's a beauty that does not draw attention to the woman, but to Jesus Christ. True feminine beauty is exchanging all that we are for all that He is. True beauty is IMPOSSIBLE without Him, He created it. He is it. Women were also made in the image of God, not just men... We were created and given His nurturing, caring, loving, beautiful attributes, His graceful, tender, and selfless devotion.
Isaiah 46:6 - "We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." + Any human beauty, any human value that we might find within ourselves is just a filthy rag compared to the limitless beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. Christ's beauty is perfect. It isn't our unique beauty that shines for the world to see, it is not our own beauty we must discover and embrace... it is His.
True feminine beauty is the natural by-product of a young woman who has emptied herself, given up her own life, and allowed God's Spirit complete access to every dimension of her inner and outer life.
How beautiful and how delightful you are, my love, with all your charms! Song of Solomon 7:6
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