Image

I stand in front of the mirror and look at myself. The longer I look, the more I notice the flaws. The more I notice the flaws, the more I dislike myself. The more I dislike myself, the less I see myself as God sees me. The less I see myself as God sees me, the less I see myself as God wants me to see me. Who is this 'me'? When I get so caught up in myself, caught in my self-obsession, I'm not so sure anymore.

Self-image can be a killer. Poor self-image is destroying our nation, both men and women, boys and girls alike. It's sad that the media portrays people the way that it does, implicitly telling you that if you don't look like those it portrays, you're not good enough. Not worthy enough.

Growing up, I felt like I couldn't talk about the issue of self-image because it was "only a girl subject". Over the last few years I've come to realize something, and it's the inaccuracy of that statement. Image is not just a "girl issue". It's a man's issue as well.

From a man's perspective, the media tells you that you have to be lean, muscular, hairless. I can only guess what a woman's perspective might be, aside from what I've been told by women themselves. In short, the media portrays them as excessively skinny, giving them a false idea of what beauty looks like. It's this portrayal that's really hurting people. The messages that the media and pop culture convey have negatively impacted me and I know they've done the same to others.

In my "Intro to Art" class last week, my professor talked to us about the difference between something being "pretty" and "beauty". In the context of art, Thomas Kinkade paints pretty paintings. However, there are plenty of paintings that are displeasing to the eye that also emanate a tremendous amount of beauty. Beauty is something much deeper than what meets the eye. Beauty is found in the creation.

Psalm 139:13 tells us that God has knit us together in our mother's womb. I think it's safe to say that this fact alone implies priceless beauty in each and every human being. In regards to how I started this blog, noticing your shortcomings and areas in which you need improvement can be a very positive thing. There comes a point, however, when it becomes idolatry. You become so obsessed with you that you find yourself in the way of you and God. At that point, it might be a good idea to step back from the mirror. Take a break. Spend some time pursuing your identity, your imago dei, your being made in the image of God. Find out who you really are. Then maybe after this journey you'll be able to return to that mirror, seeing yourself not in the context of idolatry or self-obsession but in your true beauty as a child of God.