“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, [Dorcas] who was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36A few miles of country road gave way to the thriving, growing city of Vancleave. Shops and businesses seem to be opening weekly as families flood to settle and build homes in this formerly rural community. As I entered the city, headed to a writing assignment, I passed a sign that read, “Keep Vancleave Beautiful”. The creator of that sign probably wasn’t thinking of spiritual “beauty”, but a few Scriptures came to mind concerning ways believers in Vancleave could keep their city “beautiful”:
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…” Psalm 96:9
“…How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15
When Peter was writing to husbands and wives concerning how to treat each other, he encouraged the wives to let their beauty “not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Think about it! If each of us exhibited God’s kind of beauty through worship, witness and a well-ordered home life, what a mighty impact we would have on our communities! So let’s stop trying to make ourselves look good by new clothes or fancy skin care products, and invite the Lord make us attractive - his way!
Father, I pray for the willingness and enabling to “beautify” my community as I interact with others. Through daily activities and encounters, may I be so used of you, that others will see your life and love exhibited in my life.
Related scriptures: Acts 4:13, Acts 9:36-42, Philippians 2:1-7, James 1:19-27, 2 Peter 1:2-8
