A Beautiful Woman

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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.” I Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

This Scripture is not criticizing nicely coiffed hair or wearing beautiful clothing; it just is emphasizing you should not rely on those things to portray your beauty.

There was a woman in Jesus’ time who had all of those earthly things as well as the inner qualities of which Peter speaks. She was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus—all close friends of Jesus. In fact, because of those inner qualities, more Scripture is devoted to her than to ten of the twelve male disciples!

1) A woman who LISTENS. (See Luke lO:3-42.) She was open and willing to he taught, not argumentative, and more concerned with the things of God than the societal role placed upon her.

2) A woman who FEELS. (See John 11:1-33.) She was tender, sensitive, and compassionate . . . not hard, independent, and self-centered.

3) A woman who GIVES. (See Mark 14:3-6.) She did not take all she could; instead, she poured on expensive perfume and used her hair to dry Jesus’ feet in an attitude of submission.

PRAY:
“Father, I delight myself wholly in You* today. I am glad Jesus feels my infirmities.* Show me where to give of myself and my possessions.* In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

*psaIm 37:4, Hebrews 4:15, Proverbs 11:24-25 (paraphrased)