Monday, May 20, 2013

Is Make-up Bad?

To use or not to use? That is the question. Whether tis' nobler... ok, that's as far as that goes.
A few months ago I had this epiphany that make-up was bad. I thought: Why hide the face God gave you? Is it not pretty enough? What are you hiding? Are you insecure? Underconfident with who you really are? I was convinced that make-up was most likely from the devil. Not really, I just didn't think I should wear it anymore.
But recent conversations have shed a better light on this topic. While my head is still swimming with thoughts and questions I think I have come to a few conclusions that I'm about to share, so get ready.
Firstly, labeling something as "bad" or "good" is generally impossible. While something may be bad in one situation or context, it may be ok, possibly even good in another. So I'm finding is the case with make-up.
When I first stopped wearing make-up I kind of had the mentality that others who did wear it were lesser or in some way erring in their ways and hadn't yet found their confidence. And this is where the problem lies. Whenever we take pride in our own actions being holier than others, we are the one erring, not others.
So the question is not, "is make-up bad?" because the answer to that is no. Not many things are inherently bad, the way we choose to use them is what determines if it's good or bad. So the question becomes, "are my motives for using this bad?" If you wear make-up to get attention, or if you don't wear make-up to get attention, both are equally sinful. Yes, God made us beautiful just the way we are. He also made us naked, and there aren't many people advocating we stay in that state.
But what about when people think differently of you because of which side of the fence you choose to fall on? My brother (being unusually helpful (justing kidding (just kidding))), said (and I quote), "Who cares?" Why does it matter what other people think? My call is to represent God in his love, forgiveness, gentleness, and beauty. And whether that means wearing make-up or not, it must be for God's glory and not my own.
And that's what it's all about folks.
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

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