Your Life - Beautiful and Significant

by Barbara Chadwick

Women of every age seem to struggle with the question, “Am I beautiful? Is there anyone in the whole world who thinks I matter?” Every woman has a unique beauty. How we use that beauty is what defines us to the world. We are created for God’s pleasure. He is the one who gives us significance. Each woman has a physical side – her body, a spiritual side – her soul; and a mental side – her mind. God has given each one of us a task to do. I cannot accomplish your task and you cannot accomplish mine. Henry Blackaby says, “This life is not about what you can do for Christ but about what Christ can do through you.”

Norma Day, author of Timeless Beauty, says, “The key to having a beautiful life is to be able to say, ‘I glorified my creator.’” Will you live a life of significance using the beauty and gifts God has given you to glorify Him? Or will you be like a speck of dust in the wind, blown here and there and end up on a table only to be wiped into the trash by Pledge?

A life of significance recognizes that you were created by God for His pleasure. Psalms 45:11 says, “The King is enthralled with your beauty.” We don’t have to wonder who we are, or grapple with what we are here for, or question when we’ll achieve significance, or where to look for answers. He becomes our identity. In Ephesians 1:11-12 we read, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”

In order to praise Him you need a “Divine Heart Transplant” as Ms. Day calls it. You must realize you have need of a Savior and that salvation comes only through Christ (no matter what Oprah says!) The Bible states clearly in Acts 4:12, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” So Jesus becomes our focus.

We must glorify Him in our attitudes and actions. “There is a beauty in forgiveness and humility which builds an elegance of a godly nature into a woman.” Just as Jesus forgave us we must forgive others. Don’t be like Gollum with the ring, holding onto our slights and slams, saying in our hearts, I’ll never let go of this!” This keeps us in bondage.

Another thing that keeps us in bondage is not forgiving ourselves. We must let go of our own past failures or disappointments so that we can become all Christ meant for us to become. We must give to Christ the, “burnt ashes of our lives.” God takes our brokenness and gives us, “renewed beauty in exchange.” Realize that Jesus is your Life Source, your Advocate and your Best Friend.

It is only in Him that we can accomplish anything. He has given each one a task. He asks each of us the question He asked of Moses, “What’s in your hand?” He has already placed in us what we need to accomplish what He put us here to do. Be obedient. Be FAT (faithful, available and teachable) as Billy Hanks, Discipleship educator, teaches. Do completely whatever He puts in front of you to do. You cannot be a Ruth Bell Graham or a Beth Moore. You must be whoever He made you to be; unique and beautiful in His eyes. Matt Redman said in his book, Inside Out Worship, “He is not looking for something brilliant but for something broken: ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Ps 51:17) The exercises of our enlightened minds may deduce God, but only our ignited hearts can delight Him – and in turn experience His desire to delight us!"

Let the Lord gather the dust of your body, mold your mind and guide your spirit. Let Him direct your steps into a life of significance and beauty

I’m grateful to the following authors for inspiring me to live a life of significance. I want to recommend their books to you:Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry & Melvin BlackabyInside Out Worship by Matt RedmanThe 4:8 Principle by Tommy NewberryTimeless Beauty by Norma Day