I am so fat... phat!

Our gym has this marketing campaign "what's your stuff?" stating that it is ok to be normal, which is quite contrary to most gym adverts I've seen. And it got me thinking...

http://www.virginactive.co.za/

You were created to stand out! Not blend in. Yes, especially with all your flaws. The world advocates that only the bold and the beautiful with perfect skin and perky boobs are to stand out. And this, of course, gave rise to the billion dollar beauty, cosmetic, fashion and plastic surgery industries.

But we all fall short. And half of the world is depressed** because they just can’t make the cut- can’t quite live up to the airbrushed, digitally manipulated front page model of glossy magazines that’s so en vogue and cosmopolitan- a portrait of the modern woman.



My daughter and a friend. both so cute, yet so different.  Sad thing to see a woman wanting to be someone else when she has something very unique about her...



You are called to live a different life, contrary to the pressures placed by socialités. Part of your mandate is to flaunt your flaws. Yes, really. Through contentment in who you are- with your love handles, muffin tops or sixpacks hidden safely behind coolerbags- You reflect a Kingdom that’s not just skin deep.



The problem is that most Christians are so wrapped up in the world that they don’t realise how alike their comments are to comments made by the desperately seeking. This makes it tough for non-believers to really believe that we know the Secret to true happiness.



How are you doing in this department? When was the last time that you said to God, “Lord, use ALL of me, including my-far-from-perfect body shape, my face, my smile, my eyes, my ALL”. (Jup, even my toes.) “My friends who need You, Jesus, MUST see that there is a Kingdom where it’s not how you look that matters, but the true state of one's heart.”

God has given us all something to show His beauty- a smile, a twinkle of the eye, laughter, pleasant words, our own personal style, unique eyes, soft hands, cute curls…. Use it for His glory and don’t stand back. You are NOT created to blend in, but rather to make an impact.

So... what's your stuff?



*phat: sexy, hot, gorgeous


** According to a recent study based on interviews with 500 girls, more than half said they would be happier if they were more beautiful (www.independent.co.uk, Girls, interrupted: Revealed - the true cost of low self-esteem. Even the brightest and best young women can be held back by low confidence about their looks or their worth, says a new study. Jonathan Owen, Sunday 01 April 2012)