Fruitful Beauty by Lori Haynie
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7
As I sat in the stylist’s chair, all I could think was, "This was a mistake." We were in Tennessee for a wedding, and I had decided to splurge on getting my hair and makeup done. I knew there would be family photos, and I was excited: I literally had not dressed up in nearly four years, before my son was born. I could not wait to get pampered and feel beautiful.
But my enthusiasm waned within five minutes of entering the salon. After my stylist asked a few questions about what I wanted, she tried to talk me into a trim. That would make it easier for her to create the desired updo, she said. When I asked about the cost, she grimaced and turned to set my hair in curlers before starting on the makeup.
I had asked for an “enhanced natural” look, but I knew we had differing views on that when I saw her grab the eyeshadow; it was a glittery shade of green bordering on emerald. I sensed I had already offended her by forgoing the trim, so I said nothing.
When she got back to my hair, she told me that it was simply too long for an updo and asked again if I would like a trim. When I declined, she told me that she would need a special device to keep the hair in-place—would I be comfortable buying it? When I asked how much that would cost, she sighed and said she would just do what she could with bobby pins.
When I finally left, I felt like a clown and a fool. I had on way too much makeup and had spent more than I typically do for a month’s worth of groceries for my family—and that was without the trim or magic hair-holding device!
I also felt convicted. In my weekly Bible study, we had just studied the story of the barren fig tree in Matthew 21:18-19. That tree may have looked beautiful with its full leaves, but Jesus cursed it for not bearing fruit. What kind of fruit was I demonstrating with wayward curls and gaudy makeup? Before I left the parking lot, I repented for the time, thoughts, and money I had wasted for just one night of glamour.
Over the next few weeks, the Lord gently reminded me that His radiance is far brighter than anything I can get from an (exorbitantly) expensive salon. Multiple devotions and my Bible reading plan led me to Jeremiah 17. In this chapter, Jeremiah is prophesying to the people of Judah and chastising them for their sins. In verses 5-8, he contrasts the man who trusts in other people with the man who trusts in the Lord. Verse 8 shows the beauty that adorns a child of God: “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Isn’t that a beautiful image? That tree does precisely what the Lord created it to do: it grows and bears fruit, without fear or anxiety. I reach for that goal, because it’s what Jesus wants for me. He lovingly asks for our worries and instructs us to engage in eternal work. So let us all desire those peaceful green leaves of fruitfulness. They are gorgeous in the Lord’s eyes and—unlike certain eyeshadows—inspire no regrets.
Prayer:
Lord, You know that I sometimes focus too much on how I look and too little on the condition of my heart. Help me to shift my gaze to You. Let me care more about Your definition of beauty than the world’s, so that I may bear good fruit for You.
Dig Deeper: Psalm 1:1-3
Discussion Questions:
When you have you felt convicted about prioritizing your outward appearance?
How has the Lord shown you what is beautiful to Him?
About Lori Haynie
Consultant & Writer
Lori Haynie is a consultant and writer. She has written for several legal publications and now contributes to a devotional magazine. She lives with her husband, son, and dog in Central Arkansas and can be reached at lorimhaynie@gmail.com.
