Who Are You Trying to Impress?

I take anywhere from an hour to two hours to get ready to go somewhere. That includes showering, makeup, hair, choosing clothes, and actually putting them on. My husband would argue differently and say that it takes me four or five hours, but that’s not true. It seems like it does, considering that I usually have two little boys throwing footballs at my head while I’m putting on mascara and always in need of some kind of drink or snack…even on the days when we are leaving to go eat somewhere. But that’s a different post for a different day.

When I was in High School “vanity” was a big issue for me. I would get up some times two-three hours before school, spend unbelievable amounts of time trying to put together an outfit (and, hello any fashion savvy people reading this…this mama is not one to just ‘put together’ an ensemble…I’m a jeans and t-shirt type person all the way), and then do my hair and makeup. When you say the word vanity, you think of the typical definition of having excessive pride in one’s appearance (via). And that’s fine, because that’s typically the way we think of the word. We call someone “vain” if they are more worried about whether they have on enough lipstick or mascara and we spot them in their cars touching up. Or if they are overly concerned with whether their shoes match or if they look okay. I get it. We all have moments of vanity.

But at what point does wanting to look nice become a stumbling block in our faith? Christ said in 1 Peter 3:3-4

Your adornment must not be merely external– braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God….

Now, I’m not saying don’t braid your hair or wear gold jewelry. The not wearing Gold would be tough these days because it is EVERYWHERE (when did “gold” become the new thing?). I’m not saying don’t wear dresses, because I love a pretty dress with a great pair of shoes. What I’m saying is to think about why dressing this way is so important. Who are you trying to impress? Are you putting all of your efforts into dressing like this for your husband? For the attention of another man, just so maybe someone will notice you? Are you trying to impress the moms in the car line, or at school drop off so you will look like you have it together?

Believe me, when I roll up into Noah’s school parking lot in the mornings with Pop-tart in my hair and my yoga pants on (even though I most definitely do not do yoga), it’s easy to feel like I’m out-of-place or that I’m not as attractive as the other moms there in their dress clothes for work, their pretty shoes or the ones who have their hair all fixed up and nice and clean. Usually my hair is thrown up in a ponytail and I’m doing good to make it out the door in time to get Noah to class. Vanity is the last thing on my mind.

Friends, Jesus loves us because of WHO we are and how He made us. He says so himself…our beauty doesn’t come from what’s on the outside, but rather the woman that we are inside…what’s in our hearts.

The way we love our husbands…
The way we take care of our children…
The way we sacrifice for the sake of others…
The way we thrive when we spend time with HIM…
the one who MADE us. In HIS image.

Keep that in mind as you go through your day today. When you find yourself wondering
whether or not you measure up, ask yourself:
BY WHOSE standards are you seeking your approval?

Verses to meditate on today: 1 Peter 3:3-4, Galatians 1:10 and Proverbs 31:10