Why I Wear Make-up

     

                             


Most people would probably say that it's a little drastic to explain my reasoning behind wearing make-up as my fallen, broken way of attempting to be God.

But really, that is why I wear make-up.

I've been thinking about this a lot. I got pretty upset one day when one of my friends said something about how girls would be better without makeup. I wasn't sure why it upset me so deeply, so I prayed and asked God to reveal to me the deeper, hidden places of my own heart - the inner workings and brokenness that manifest themselves through tears that I don't understand.

My Father spoke truth into my heart that day.

There's something in me that desires to be loved. Most would say that's a pretty innocent and natural longing - but not so much, really. Because I don't JUST desire to be loved. I desire to be adored. Still don't think that's bad?

Okay. I desire to be worshipped.

This is what I realized. I refuse to go out without makeup because I refuse to go out without someone saying, "Wow, you have beautiful eye lashes!" I refuse to go out without being made up because it would be an injustice for someone to think I wasn't pretty.

What if someone realized that I am not God?

Oh wait.....

I'm not.

Okay, I know at this point you're probably raising your eyebrows going, "Whoa, now! You're taking this to a completely ridiculous level." And maybe I am. But I realized something terrifying inside myself that day - something dark and dirty, and something very broken. I realized an inward tendency to gain approval in the sight of men (and women) based on the visual aesthetics of my face. I realized that I wanted to cover up every "flaw" so that people would think I'm perfect. And the Bible makes clear that what manifests itself on the outside is what's really taking place on the inside (Luke 6:45). So if I'm trying to cover up my flaws on the outside, there's probably a good dose of trying to ignore my flaws inwardly. There is a part of me that will not accept the truth that I am not worthy of worship. I see my own plainness and try to trick myself into thinking that I'm actually supernaturally extraordinary and perfect.

Let's cut the act.

I have pimples. So do you. My pore are the size of Mount Rushmore and I have the deepest crows feet wrinkles you've ever seen on a 19-year-old. My eyebrows have a mind of their own and my top lip isn't big enough. This is who I am. When I cover these things up, it's in an attempt to HIDE them from people. I want you to believe that I never break out because I'm calm, cool, and collected and have perfect skin complexion. I groom my eyebrows, cover my eyelashes with mascara, and plop some plumper on that top lip so that you look at me and think, "Wow, God blessed her and adorned her with beauty."

It. Is. Fake. Literally, it is so fake! I AM SO FLAWED. I have pimples and wrinkles and thick eyebrows. So why am I trying to make you believe that I don't? And why do we practically demand others to cover up their flaws as well? As if it is a disgrace to humanity to uncover our imperfections. Who are we kidding? None of us have a perfect face, but honestly, I think that makes us even more beautiful.

Stop wearing makeup for a while. Stop freaking out and just try it, okay? After a while, you'll get used to the look of your face without make-up and start to recognize the natural beauty that lies underneath all that foundation. Unaltered skin has a sort of glow to it. No, not the sun-kissed, bronzed glow. But a warm, inviting glow that lends honesty and truth. Yes, there's a sort of beauty to a made-up face, but it's the kind of beauty that's hard to look at, to be quite honest. The kind of beauty that makes you feel uncomfortable and like you're missing a mark. But then there is a natural, unaltered beauty of a face just the way God created it. The kind of beauty that's easy to look upon. It doesn't mean that your face is nice and clear and symmetrical. It means there's a certain undeniable joy and honest goodness overflowing that comes from a contended heart in Christ.

Stop believing the lies of this world, Daughter of God.

Stop buying into the deception of the fashion industry, oh Child of the Most High.

For jewels, fine clothing, and make-up cannot match the great beauty of the spirit that God has placed inside of you. He has created you to embody the "imperishable beauty of a quite and gentle spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). And that is "VERY PRECIOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD" (1Peter 3:4).

Very rarely in the Bible does it directly say that something is precious to God. But look at this. WHAT TREASURE WE HAVE FOUND IN CHRIST. We don't need worldly beauty - in fact, we shouldn't want it! Because in Christ, we put on the adornment of mercy and grace. We wear the jewels of forgiveness and humility. We paint on the make-up of kindness and servanthood. Worldly beauty is nothing but deception to us, for it is a cover. We can freely reveal who we truly are because we don't need the praises of men. We don't seek the worship of strangers who think we're beautiful. We don't strive for the attention of passers-by. For the King and Creator of this Universe has named us as very precious in his sight because of our GODLY CHARACTER.

What freedom we have found in our Maker! What love we have discovered from our Father! Yes, you may seem plain next to painted faces and fashion queens, but your spirit is what attracts others to you - and that is NOT plain! Forget the chase after fading beauty and pursue the unfading beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit! Your Father has created you to have that spirit and He finds it PRECIOUS.

Oh, how the Father sees past the imperfections of our flesh. Oh, how he adorns us with grace! Oh my soul, How He Loves.