how to steward beauty or– moving beyond modesty
6.21.2011 at 1:05pm 7 comments
It occurred to me (and “it” was accompanied with some frustration) that for all we Christians go off about dressing modestly and not causing one another to stumble (and these are important lessons!) we kind of ignore the reality that God gave us our beauty and our outward appearances as gifts–talents, resources if you will–to be stewarded as all things for His kingdom.
I’m still forming my thoughts on this matter, and I really would appreciate any feedback you might have as a reader!
Tentatively, these are some of the questions I’m asking:
1) Knowing that people come into the kingdom and become lifelong disciples because some cute Christian at a church, involvement fair booth, or coffee shop once caught their eyes…how should we present ourselves externally to the non-Christian world around us?
2) What does it mean to take care about your appearance for the sake of God and not for your own sake, when inevitably looking good gives glory to you for those who don’t believe in your God?
3) What should be the role of fashion, cosmetics, etc. in the life of a Christian? In terms of time, money, etc. I firmly believe that Christians are desperately needed in the fashion and cosmetics industries, but it seems that many believers avoid these fields…perhaps with good reason, but that just means the beauty industries are a massive unreached people group!
4) Generally speaking, what are practical ways to leverage beauty (and believe me, even if you think you’re hideous, someone out there doesn’t!) in a way that’s helpful and kingdom-building and doesn’t lead people into sin?
Please weigh in if you’ve got the time. 
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: beauty, Christianity, modesty, women.
1.
Jeff Holliday | 6.21.2011 at 1:29pm
i don’t know the answer to any of these!
2.
Anna | 6.21.2011 at 4:00pm
I totally wanted to go into the beauty/cosmetics industry at one point. I’m reading a book called Total Truth that talks about how God gave a cultural mandate to Adam and Eve, telling them to take care of the earth. In other words, God created us to be creative and use our talents to glorify God through being his hands and feet – whether that be healing people as doctors, fixing things as plumbers, or creating beauty through art, music, or even fashion and makeup. I totally believe that the beauty industry is not “un-holy” or anything because it focuses on outside appearances – God is delighted when we are creative for His sake!
As for how this plays into someone’s daily life, I mean, if someone can be a beautician and still encourage people that they are beautiful because they are created by God, fearfully and wonderfully made, then isn’t that giving glory to God? Michelle Phan, a very famous youtube makeup guru that now has a high-profile job working for Lancome, is a Christian and has made that clear through her blog/some videos. I think that’s a great testimony of how we can use those industries for the Lord!
Ok, that was a long comment. I’m pretty passionate about this topic =)
3.
Lily | 6.22.2011 at 4:49pm
Wow, I had no idea Michelle Phan was Christian– I love her videos. I feel like I’ve been blessed by them and shoot, someday God willing when I get married my husband will be indirectly blessed by them too.
I would also agree with you about the beauty industry not being inherently unholy. I think people say things like “it promotes narcissism” or “it promotes lust,” but honestly all fields can be tainted by sin; business promotes greed, medicine can promote pride, and in twisted ways law can promote injustice.
I’m sorry you’re not going into beauty/cosmetics anymore– like I said, big unreached people group; what made you decide to take your career in a different direction?
4.
Anna | 6.27.2011 at 12:09am
Yes, all fields can be tainted by sin. Oh, we live in a fallen world. Anyway, I half considered doing beauty as a career just because I think it’s so fun and it would be really entertaining and satisfying to make women feel beautiful about themselves. However, I don’t actually know anything about applying makeup and colors and whatnot. haha I appreciate how artistic it is, and I applied to some internships for like Loreal and stuff, but I think God is leading me in a different direction =)
5.
Ryan | 6.21.2011 at 6:47pm
I can’t really profess to have expertise in this area, but here are a few of my thoughts:
1. Yes this happens and I think it’s pretty awesome that God works in this way, but I think that it should be more of a side effect than something that should be worked towards. We should make ourselves look good but not go too far out of our way to do it, especially when it detracts from other things. The closest thing I can think of in the Bible is when Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:8 “While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Bodily training (being fit, which is a part of beauty) could make us more effective at advancing the gospel. Being healthy and fit gives you more energy, costs less, etc. which are things that could make you more effective at advancing the gospel in practical ways. But there are so many other things that would help you at advancing the gospel in spiritual ways (read, pray, spend time with people). I think that latter should obviously be the priority but I would say take healthy doses of the former as well. And in the end use the Spirit to guide you in this matter.
2. I’m not really sure on this one, but I would say humility is the key. Caring for your body but not drawing attention to it (not sure exactly what that would entail) should keep the focus on God as much as possible.
3. It sounds like a great mission field for those who feel called into it. For everyone else, I guess just use the guidance of the Spirit in what to enjoy and what to abstain from. One thing I will say though is I think most girls usually look better without makeup and in casual clothes (jeans and t-shirt). Plenty of people would disagree with me, but it’s just a thought. Maybe something like what you’re saying in 4: beauty looks different to different people.
4. Beats me, but it sounds like untapped power that needs to be discussed (Mark 2 FTW!). This is an IV discussion that needs to happen soon, especially since there are ridiculously good looking people in IV (according to Alice, and I would agree).
I’d be interested to hear what other people have to say as well!
6.
Christine | 6.21.2011 at 7:57pm
Hmm, I don’t know! Still forming my thoughts as well. I agree with your statement that “the beauty industries are a massive unreached people group” – I’m very inspired by that! It’s something I’ve never considered before, so thank you for mentioning that!
Question #3 strikes me especially…I never know quite how to approach the issue of clothes & fashion. When do you cross the line from using your God-given creativity (as Anna suggested) & expressing yourself through clothing to all-out materialism? I wonder how I am supposed to deal with it. There are several fashion blogs I follow written by Mormons – a few of them mention their beliefs from time to time and one of them even explains why she dresses the way she does. While that’s not the same as Christianity, I’m certain that there are probably many other fashion blogs out there written by Christians. It would be interesting to see not only how address these questions but also how they might use their blog as an outlet to advance the Kingdom.
7.
jen. | 6.21.2011 at 11:09pm
ah, the cycle of the issue of beauty– focusing on the inner to the neglect of the outer, and then overcorrecting yourself to focus on the outer to the detriment of the inner. it seems like a neverending futility.
what comes to mind aren’t answers, but books:
– “fashioned by faith”, by rachel lee carter, who is a professional model
– “the lost art of true beauty” by leslie ludy (an excerpt can be found here: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0002429.cfm)
i have yet to read either of these two, but they sound like they would help. (=
as for specific thoughts on your questions, i see the first and last question as being related, because they’re both assessing how your beauty would affect others, and to that effect, i would say that you have no control over whether someone goes to church because you’re cute or develops a lustful attitude towards you.
that’s not to say that we don’t have any sort of responsibility over how to guard against that and hold ourselves with honor, but i think that once we (girls, especially) start to micromanage our worries about whether our appearance is leading someone else down an iffy path, we’ve given a foothold over to the abstract concept of beauty in lieu of remembering that a personal and powerful God uses anything and everything to draw people to Him– even (if not especially– think of nature!) beauty. it’s when we tap into and maniuplate for our own purposes the power of beauty that it all goes downhill. =X
we should present ourselves in a way in which we do not fear our own beauty or fear the possible outcomes because of such beauty– hasn’t it been redeemed along with every other part of us? trying to close off your beauty for fear of how someone else will respond to it…perhaps faith plays into that as well. we get mixed signals about how beauty is a superficial issue, when it actually is part of how we were formed and created and something that, as you’ve pointed out, God has given us. and everything that He gives is good.
what sustains physical beauty (past that moment of attraction) is the spiritual beauty, and the problem i see in girls is that they think it should be one or the other, when it should be both. certainly, authentic beauty comes from the inside– but for some reason, it’s perceived as pseudo-sinful to bridge beauty from the inside to the outside. we have to recognize the value and significance of investing in both aspects, instead of viewing it as a battle that should only have one victor. two sides, same coin.
um, and i totally just broke the rule about not posting a comment that is longer than the original entry.
hope all is well, lily! i’m glad you blog. (=