ARE OTHERS SEEING THE REAL YOU?

Visit any florist and you’ll notice all the different colors of flowers. There’s red, white, pink, orange, purple, blue; the options are unlimited. My wife is a fan of tulips and her favorite color is purple, so that makes it an easy decision for me. Have you ever wondered how they get all those different colors? Most of it is due to genetics and some is due to artificial coloring. My genetics are of Scandinavian decent, which gives me a fair skin color. I can go to a tanning booth and get artificial coloring, but it won’t change who I am on the inside.

How you nourish your roots will affect your outward appearance. By appearance, I mean how people see you the person; not just your looks. Your work environment and what you do in your free time affects your appearance.  Many people try to come across differently than what they really are.  Maybe they want to project a certain lifestyle by dressing a certain way, driving a fancy car, or living a lavish house. Striving to better one’s identity is always a good thing, but portraying an artificial image is not. How a person spends time on the internet can shine some light into who they really are. Are they constantly shopping for items they can’t afford?  Maybe they’re posting on social media trying to portray something they’re not.    

 

Photo credit: possumology.blogspot.com

In autumn, trees lose their leaves; then the flash and beauty are gone. That is when we can really see what the tree is made of.  What would others see if you lost your leaves?  Would your flash and beauty be gone or would people see beyond that and know what you’re really made of?

 

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.