Flawless by Design

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:7 NIV)

Have you been watching much reality television lately? The shows range from ugly ducklings to homely houses to unruly families. And if you dare sport an unsightly blemish or a glaring flaw, you had better believe you will soon be considered as a prime candidate for a makeover.

Goodness, it’s enough to give you the impression that God must be sitting up in Heaven, a larger-than-life 'Max Factor,' looking down at His creation with His head tilted and one eyebrow raised thinking, “You know, maybe they just need a little more blush to highlight those cheekbones or perhaps just a little tuck here and there. Better yet, let’s send them all to the day spa for the latest cellophane wrap and some sliced cucumbers for those puffy eyes.”

As a young woman, I used to work for a well-known cosmetic company, and one of the many perks of my job was performing makeovers on women. I especially enjoyed observing how ladies would transform Cinderella-like into glowing beauties, and how even their very demeanors would change once they caught their new image reflecting back in the mirror.

My dear old Aunt Alice, who lived in the country on a work farm and specialized in fried green tomatoes, used to always say, “A little fresh paint on the old barn never hurt anybody!”

I no longer work for the cosmetic industry, but I still perform makeovers every day—not necessarily the 'Revlon' kind, but rather the 'Beauty for Ashes' kind. God has privileged me to be an encourager of souls to those who may have lost their self-worth and somehow feel less then attractive because of a misplaced identity. God has by-passed our need for plastic surgery or the newest age-defying skin care products because when we become born-again, we are instantly transformed into a completely new creation! We are no longer in need of being 'made over' or polished up from a tarnished image.

To Him we are made complete and absolutely perfect, lacking nothing. In His eyes we are exquisite just as we are. Isn’t that reassuring in what can sometimes be a very superficial world? I am so thankful for His unconditional love and that He is head over heels in love with us … just as we are!

The famous hymn says it so well:

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee …
I come, I come.

—Charlotte Elliott, 'Just as I Am, Without One Plea'

Come to Him today and let Him give you a “makeover”. He longs to whisper in your ear, “All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you” (Song of Solomon 4:7). —Missey Butler