We all typically
know within our communities that beauty opens many more doors. The more a woman
is embellished with sculpted cheekbones, ideal firm breast, gorgeous legs with
well-molded ankles to go with a generous backside – what some describe as
figure 8, the more she gets a red-carpet reception and pulls a crowd wherever she
goes.
How inconsistent it
is then to imagine that a woman could actually have many more problems in her
life just because she’s amazingly beautiful. The Bible lets us to understand
that the subject is necessary and legitimate, because beauty is not in fact
problem-free.
Rachel’s experience
as recorded in Genesis 29-32 elucidates this further. Rachel missed out on some
usefully difficult experiences to start with. Anyone in here community would
have been thrilled to be her lover and so couldn’t have faced rejection in any
serious way in her adult life. Yet, weirdly, it’s often through difficult
experiences that we grow to maturity. They’re painful, but necessary. They
force us to develop compensating resources: we become stronger, more resilient;
we learn compassion; we get more appreciative of small things. It was not Rachel’s
fault, but she was a little spoilt.
Let’s take a look
at how Heather Creekmore analyzes it further: Beauty lies to us. It deceives us
into believing that it will make our lives easier, better. Rachel shows us this
isn’t true. Rachel’s beauty was verifiable–her status as “gorgeous” is
recorded in the inerrant word
of God. And, yet, Rachel
struggled. She thought being married to the man who swept her off her
feet would make her happy. It
didn’t last. She struggled with infertility. Her husband dealt with her harshly. And
though she had clearly “won” the beauty contest with her sister, she still
eventually found reason to envy her
and let jealousy lead
her into a bad case of the crazies.
Physical
beauty never equates
to fewer difficulties. Being physically “perfect” doesn’t guarantee you a pain
free marriage (or a wedding ring), an easy family, or a stress-free life. In
fact, being physically beautiful gives exactly zero bonus points redeemable for
a better life here on earth.
Beauty falls short on all of its promises. If you don’t believe me, just ask any celebrity or model.
Ask any woman renowned for her gorgeous looks if she never feels hurt,
rejection, or disappointment. Her answers may surprise you.
The truth
is: Leah wasn’t cursed by God with dim eyes that ruined the otherwise
fabulous trajectory of her Old Testament life. Rather, God used her, weak eyes
and all, to accomplish his purpose. He called her, blessed her, loved her,
and redeemed her–paying no mind to her perceived physical flaws.
I believe he does the same for us. And, I think
that’s what Leah would want us to know: satisfaction doesn’t come from winning
the beauty rat race, earning your husband’s love or bearing a house full of
children. Instead it comes from
finding fulfillment in God’s purpose and embracing his love.
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