My 1960’s adolescence was influenced by images like Venus, the goddess of love (“Venus in Blue Jeans”) bikini-clad “California Girls”, Elvis Presley’s harem of adoring blondes, brunettes, and redheads, not to mention the ultra-thin model appropriately nicknamed Twiggy. For my mother, it was 1940’s movie stars like Rita Hayworth and Lana Turner that had her checking in on the bathroom scales every morning. So why are we surprised by today’s airbrushed images of perfection and runways lined with skeletal models? Humans have been contending with lies about body image since the fall in the Garden of Eden (and I don’t mean autumn). “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”” Genesis 3: 8-11 ESV.
Yep. That’s when fig leaves were snatched from their stems as makeshift bathrobes and God killed one of His magnificent animals to clothe Adam and Eve before sending them out in the cold.
So how do we stop listening to those age old lies about our nakedness? I guess the only way to fight a liar is with the truth. At least that’s what Jesus said and did when the enemy tried to tempt Him with another perverted version of GOD’s words (See Matthew 4: 1-11).
Let’s face it, we walk our own runways every day. We’re on display, especially as Christ followers, so never forget – you are wearing the Imago Dei label. You are made in His image, a one of a kind original. I especially appreciate the way my body suit (and yours) is knitted together to hold up well in some of the most challenging conditions. It keeps us warm, protects us from germs, repairs itself when torn, and stretches and contracts even through a mother’s pre, mid, and post pregnancy weight changes. Think about it…you know that Glad trash bag commercial? The one that boasts about its’ patented ForceFlex technology? No matter how much garbage you cram into it, it just keeps on stretching? Big deal. Our GOD knitted us together in our mother’s womb long before they ever invented force-flex. We are so fearfully and wonderfully made, our skin can manufacture scar tissue in a super big hurry in order to make room for our growing babies, and I have the stretch marks to prove the wonder of it all. And it is a wonder after all, especially after the fall.
So strut your stuff ladies (with clothes on by the way). Confidently walk the sidewalks and hallways and pathways you tread upon with your head held high.
[easy-tweet tweet=”You are one of GOD’s beautiful runway models, wear His designer label with class and dignity.” user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”#beautiful”]And let’s not forget to encourage others to love and appreciate the skin they’re in as well.
Just for fun, I’ve attached a link to a YouTube video of “Venus in Blue Jeans” sung by Jimmy Clanton. Venus, Mona Lisa, and Cinderella all rolled into one…she must’ve been quite a gal! https://www.google.com/#q=venus+in+bluejeans&* (ctrl + click to follow the link)
Read more and Visit M.K. Thomas at www.homegrownheart.org
