at·trac·tive
adjective
1. providing pleasure or delight, especially in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring: an attractive personality.
2. arousing interest or engaging one's thought, consideration, etc.: an attractive idea; an attractive price.
3. having the quality of attracting.
beau·ty
noun,
- the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).
lust
noun
1. intense sexual desire or appetite.
2. uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness.
3. a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually followed by for ): a lust for power.
Okay now that we have the definitions of the world’s idea of what is beautiful and attractive, I would like to address an issue that in my opinion has gotten out of proportion; today I would like to discuss our obsession with our physical bodies.
I am noticing more and more the lack of decorum; you could even call it a lack of grace or shame with the way some people dress. Everyday my vision is assaulted with the sights of people wearing what I would call inappropriate clothing. From a man’s perspective I have to say that it has gotten to the point where I have left a room, elevator and store isle, because I was not comfortable being in the same space as the individual in question. Now I know that we are supposed to have an open mind, allow for individuality and even have understanding for our differences. But just like every other area of society, boundaries and limits are necessary for all parties.
I have seen pockets on shorts, which are longer than the shorts, shirts that are sheerer than my curtains, yoga pants so tight that every crease is visible and people with more clothes on at the beach than some walking around in the mall. My question is when is enough, enough from the perspective of the collective society? I say that if you approach me to talk to me and have to cover your chest with your hand or pull up a piece of clothing maybe your wardrobe needs to be adjusted.
All the ladies that I call friends, and family members near and far, you know that I love you, but believe me when I say that dressing this way is not good. I know that some of you feel good all dressed up and that you want to look your best. But when did your best mean exposing as much skin as possible without being arrested for exposure? I have to ask what are you hoping to attract and how could you possibly feel good showing everything God gave you to everyone? How meaningful will intimacy with your significant other be, if privacy or modesty is not in the mix? If we have seen it all, what then is left for us to discover? You are more than the sum of your parts, you are a mind, soul and body.
Look at it this way, if you encourage men to think of you and focus on only the physical then how long will that kind of attraction last? Our bodies do and will change, don’t you want someone around who sees to the heart of you and not just that new grey hair or wrinkle. What emotion other than lust is involved with the sight, none that I can think of? So when our need for comfort, joy, safety, security, intimacy, and all the other ranges of emotional needs arise how satisfied will you be?
Why am I writing this, what is my point? I want you to know that you matter, you are more than the clothes and make up you wear and you have great value. Hopefully with this posting you will see it too.
1 Peter 3:3-5
New International Version (NIV)
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, 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. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.
