BEAUTY

by john roy bohlen & John 5:30

There's a beauty in you so great, that if God did not disguise it, you would love yourself too much.

There's a beauty in you so great, that if God did not disguise it, others would love you too much.

There's a beauty in your words, so great, that if God did not disguise it, people would love them too much.

There's an ugly in us that would melt away, that if some of us would truly repent,  truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuly repent, some of us would be beautiful!

I had this dream in which there was this one woman, who was old and ugly, who became young and beautiful, the extent to which she was able to be both humble, and pure.  But, it was very difficult for her to be both.  I mean, she had a reputation for both humility and purity.  But, when she truly repented, the youth and beauty returned, but, fleetingly, because, as she became more beautiful, she would become more proud, which caused her to become less beautiful.

It seemed like a fleeting mind-set, a way of thinking, a matter of remembering - of not forgetting.

We allow each other to shine more with beauty, if we remember that the beauty is of God, the greatness is of God, the wisdom is from God, the ability is from God, the wealth is from God.

Remember, Jacob limped.

Paul's thorn was a gift to him from God, so that he would remain humble and tender hearted.

Perhaps this is one reason why we get old, or fat, or forgetful.

None of us have anything good, that we were not given.

We have this treasure in human vessels.

God knows how to reveal us, the beauty, the glory.  God knows how to disguise us, the beauty, the glory.

One major reason why God does not answer some of our prayers or fulfill some of our dreams is, possibly - if He did give us the amount of power, fame, glory or money we asked for, it might wreck us.  We might not get anything done.  We might not be able to stay in His school, stay humble, stay anonymous, stay in the harness, stay pure or humble.

BEAUTY SECRETS

Remembering: to stay humble, sweet, teachable, tenderhearted, loving - to give God the credit.

Reminding: others, and self that God is the source of the ability, the beauty, the progress.

Releasing: not needing to impress others, leaving the impressing to God, remaining totally committed, contented, rejoicing, etc.

Quanna:  is the Hebrew word for "jealous".  This is one of the Names of God: Quanna.  Normally, we think if jealousy as a petty human fault.  But, with God, it is justified, because He is justified - God is entitled!  We must accept the fact that God becomes jealous.  He is like a jealous lover.  He is concerned that others do not come to admire us too greatly.  Furthermore, God doesn't want people to give us the credit for things about us in our life that He deserves the credit for.  Do you think that, if this were true, that this would make God look petty, unrighteous or bad?  He is willing to appear to be all of these things for our own good.  God is willing to risk a bad reputation, if that is the by-product of His doing what is best for us - AND Him.

One time, in the presence of my wife and family, I told a stranger who was a woman and a waitress, that she was really beautiful, to which she responded, "Ohhh, Praise the Lord!"

Does one become jealous of others who have ability, beauty, skill, fame, faith, or finances?  Envy them not.  Their fame or fortune is a gift from God, even if they themselves do not realize it.

Sometimes, as we increase in the beauty, the knowledge, the glory of Jesus, we become fatter, uglier, older and weaker, to compensate for the increase of our greatness - so that we will not be harmed by the worship of others, or the worship of ourselves. Job 31:28 talks about inviting a curse by kissing one's own hand.

Have you ever noticed that there are certain people who are wealthy, famous, skilled or powerful - but they scarcely seem to notice, and it seems to not really matter?  There is grace in this.  There is grace in greatness that is unassuming and gentle.

A person is truly free who no longer has a compulsive need to impress others.

One of the reasons why the Lord encourages us to practice being unobtrusive about our good deeds, is that it is great preparation for greatness.  God wants to make us great, without our being destroyed by the very beauty and greatness He wants to bestow.