
On a realtor’s house-for-sale sign written in bold red letters are the words, “I’m Gorgeous Inside!” It always gets me thinking when I see it on my daily walk. It’s true isn’t it. We are all gorgeous inside. We don’t always feel that way, and it’s possible our self-talk doesn’t tell us that truth very often. We may not have had our beauty reflected to us growing up or we may react to the problems and suffering in the world by blaming ourselves somehow. Yet as we grow spiritually we realize that we can choose to see ourselves as God sees us–gorgeous inside and out. We can learn to talk to ourselves in a new way–like we’re speaking to someone we love.
That’s how God always speaks to us–like someone God loves. These words from the Gospel of Matthew, spoken to Jesus, are also spoken to us, “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased,’ ” Matthew 3:17. Taking these words to heart, letting them be real for us, puts our life on the basis of love. Filled and enfolded in love we become willing to step out and be visible. We let our light shine. Fear grows smaller and joy grows bigger. We are confident for we know the truth– I am loved. I am seen. I am known. I am gorgeous inside and out. The Sufi mystic Rumi said it this way,
“Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you are already that.”
In the Love and Light of the Christ,
Rev. Anna