Feeling Less Than Desirable

Feeling Less Than Desirable

Young Woman In Song Of Songs

Read: Song of Songs 1:5-11

Looking around at the pretty, well-dressed women near her, Alexis wished that she had skipped the party. She wore bags under her eyes and fifteen extra pounds on her body. Her hair desperately needed a cut and highlights, and her face needed more than the quick dab of lip gloss she had managed. She’s really taken a toll on my looks, but it’s all worth it, Alexis thought, as she looked down at the seven-week-old baby sleeping in her arms. Alexis had no idea how beautiful she looked at that moment to her husband, who gazed at her from across the room.

Is there a woman on earth who hasn’t compared herself with others and felt that she came up short? The young woman in Song of Songs was no exception. As a country girl, she had suntanned skin from working in her family’s vineyards. When she looked at the refined complexions of the city women in Jerusalem, she felt embarrassed about her appearance. Her insecurity made her turn to the one person that she knew would see her as beautiful. Her betrothed thought that her skin was lovely.

We all feel less than desirable at times. If we compare our appearances to digitally retouched photos of professionally made-up models, we don’t stand a chance. But even in everyday settings, there is always someone who has shinier hair, clearer skin, whiter teeth, and a better figure. During those times, it helps to remember that there is Someone who looks past our stringy hair, acne, and extra weight. He sees us as worth dying for just as we are—which is why he did. God gazes at his daughters with eyes of unconditional love, and we have no idea how beautiful we look to him.

When my lover looks at me, he is delighted with what he sees.

Song of Songs 8:10