Beauty, something that is pleasing to the eye… It can also be an appealing quality. A thing can be beautiful, a place can be beautiful, and a person can be beautiful. In the current culture, people are aspiring to be physically beautiful. There are numerous beauty treatments, some use photoshop and filters when posting pictures, some even go to the extent of having procedures. All in an effort to be a person’s definition of beautiful.
Many have heard the saying: “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In God’s eyes we are all beautiful. Even our shortcomings, even our perceived faults, and even with any imperfection that makes us, us. Genesis 1:31 says: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” That includes you. That includes me. God is very intentional in everything he does, so when we have perceived shortcomings, things we don’t like about ourselves, things that we wish we could change about ourselves, reflect on Genesis 1:31.
God made us the way he made us. Intentionally. Ever considered that our imperfections are meant to point us back to God? He is the only one that meets the bar of perfection. He is the only one perfect in every way. Having imperfections shows the need for a perfect God. He helps us when we fall short. He validates us in our perceived flaws. He fills the cracks in our “brokenness” and makes it beautiful.
How many times have we prayed “Lord help me?” He shows up. He helps us. It is the same with our imperfections, he helps us. He bridges the gap. He affirms us as only a loving God would. That is good news because we don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to aim for perfection.
There are many in the Bible who had imperfections. Some believed that Moses had anger issues. He killed an Egyptian while angry (Exodus 2:12). Jonah wrestled with disobedience (Jonah 1). When he finally obeyed and Ninevah was spared, he then had the nerve to be angry! Paul was Saul before he was converted and persecuted Christians. Some believe Jeremiah may have struggled with depression. David slept with another man’s wife, had her husband killed, and then married her (2 Samuel 11). God did not turn his back on any one of these people. In fact, God used these “imperfect” people, and he can use us, in spite of our imperfections.
Look at how many self-help books are available. Many of those authors have experienced feeling inadequate or had an experience where they needed help and support and decided to write a book to help others that are experiencing the same thing. I once saw an author of a book on bipolar disorder, where the author had bipolar disorder himself and wanted to provide tips on how he managed the illness and lived a productive life.
Being beautifully “broken” is real. But it can also be good, depending on how we handle our imperfections. Do we let it stop us from achieving success? Does it impair our ability to serve the Lord? Do we allow it to prevent us from operating in the gifts that God has given us, or do we turn it into strength? A motivating force to help and support others. A bridge to reach non-
believers who feel that they are not good enough to come to God. A sign to other believers that God can use us all, in spite of our imperfections
I encourage us all to embrace our imperfections because God covers them all. It’s okay to be beautifully broken.
God bless you.
Nadirah Fareed
