Throwing Out the Magazines - Pep Talk Tuesday
It's easy to become obsessed with the celebrity world. With the magazines, the glamour, and the flashiness of it all. In fact, just today I found myself taking a break from doing some much needed work in order to read an online editorial about an actress, view the photos, and gawk at the outrageous prices for the clothes mentioned in the captions.
As women, we all have found ourselves being drawn to the glamour of another person’s beauty or seemingly perfect life. What was meant to be a quick break can easily become an hour pouring over picture spreads and pining after the latest clothing, accessories, looks or even “lifestyles.”
But when is enough, enough?
While flipping through those glossy sheets or scanning magazines online, if you ever find yourself thinking, “Gosh, if only I could be like her! Or look like that. Or have that outfit, hairstyle, smooth toned skin, make up…” You may have a problem.
It begins slowly at first, but admiration of other people can easily turn in idolization. The problem is not so much that you admire the fashion taste or style of an actress or celebrity, as it is that when you look at THEM you think less of YOURSELF.
The World of Celebrity Worship
People can definitely take it too far. The thing to remember is that admiring a celebrity can be a vicious cycle. Celebrities are who they are because people pay attention to them. In a way they thrive off of people idolizing them or worshiping them, as it were. I like to remind myself that celebrities are just people. They have to eat, use the restroom, and will eventually pass away like the rest of us.
Seeing Yourself among the Stars
My sister and I recently had the pleasure of flipping through copies of magazines with Lupita Nyong'o and Gugu Mbatha-raw on them. It was great to see women of color in the spotlight. And as Lupita remarked in her 2014 speech for Essence, her journey as an actress has been inspirational to other African American women.
But even if these women had never graced the covers of Lucky magazine and Town & Country, I would still know that African American women, like myself and my sister, are beautiful. Why? Because God created ALL people to reflect His perfect image (Genesis 1:17) and He loves ALL of us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that these two women were on magazine covers, but I can’t let that define beauty for me. And you shouldn’t either. What if their photos had never been on such magazines? What then? Would I suddenly feel less beautiful as an African American woman? No.
Because my identity and YOUR identity comes from Jesus…
Yes you. You are more beautiful than what any magazine cover can offer. You have a beautiful heart and a graceful spirit. Remember, “charm is deceptive and physical beauty is fleeting, but a women who follows the Lord, shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Whenever you feel like less in comparison to the Photoshop images on the magazine covers, remember that you are a creation of Christ. While the women on the covers of the magazines are digitally
polished to create the façade of perfection, realize that you have a creator who expertly crafted your authentic beauty. No special lighting or effects, just God-given exquisiteness. You are royalty to the Lord, an heir (Romans 8:16-17). He has given you an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). God is enthralled by your beauty and delights in you (Psalm 45:11) He can redeem you from any of your past mistakes and make you new (2 Corinthians 5:17) He calls you by your name and says, “You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1) See, look how special you are.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Love,
Natural Sunshine
