As my thoughts travel back to what I was in high school, I end that chapter of my life with the question, “Did I portray the image of my faith in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord?” In school I was labeled as the long-haired, skirt girl and that is all I seemed to amount to. I never saw myself as a peculiar person or even a light to the world. I knew my faith was Apostolic, but didn’t necessarily live it in-depth. I presented modest character, but that wasn’t enough. In reality, I ended up living in the shadow of my parents’ Pentecostal lifestyle instead of having my own experience and relationship with God.
Little by little, in the most naïve way, my focus shifted from God to athletics. I didn’t realize, at the time, that I had replaced my God for an idol god: track and cross county. I began to slowly replace Christian music with worldly music. Before I knew it, my image was being reshaped with things of the world by not allowing God to be my world. I had enabled the influence of others to rule my heart and idea of beauty. At the time, I thought that by simply attending church faithfully, worshiping, and praying at the altar I was saved, all the while keeping sports as my idol god.
However, my behavior wasn’t acceptable to God. He wanted so much more than perfect attendance record and a few tears from me. I needed to portray His light through my image, spirit, action, character, and faith.
If I could diagnose the problem I had then, it was that I didn’t know who I was in God. I didn’t realize that I was really a daughter/child to the King. What each of us must keep in mind is that it is truly important to not lose focus of our purpose like I so easily did.
When I see young girls that resemble what I became at that time, I desperately wish to reach out with words of encouragement to them; let them know how precious and rare they are in God’s eyes. I did not find my identity until after high school; as a result, I want young girls to stay inspired and to not focus on the world’s perspective of beauty, but rather know that modesty is beauty. I want to encourage them to not set a lower price and level of respect on themselves, but instead create a passion for purity. It is essential to stand firm in our faith and set our minds on Godly things. As the Chief Musician David so wonderfully wrote, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” {Psalms 139:14}.
Finding a way to fit in with others is not the answer to any problem. It is better to stand alone with God than to stand with a popular crowd. In fact, I learned that standing without Him leads to failure in understanding who you are as an individual, as well as in your relationship with God. We must not be intimidated to live a pure and holy life or be ashamed to walk with poise and dignity in every step. The rare and divine beauty that we possess can neither be bought nor found in materialistic items.
True beauty is obtained through applying God’s Word in our life. I Corinthians 6:20 explains, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” When we begin to see ourselves as He sees us, then can we discover that just above the surface is beauty, courage, boldness, confidence, and a virtuous woman that is far above rubies. Respect yourself, cherish your identity in Christ, and know who YOU are. Portray your faith in a way that is pleasing to Him. Don’t hide your faith, but instead unveil your identity and modesty within to be a light in the world.