Here's the epicenter of today's culture in the USA -- IMAGE. Every marketing dollar, most movies and songs scream IMAGE but the question is whose image -- the world's or God's? Prior to coming to T Bar M Camps, I worked with commercial photographers and many in Dallas' fashion industry. Our photo shoots were quite an eye-opener. The transformation of the set and a model would require sophisticated lighting, special effects, make up and alterations to accentuate and sometimes hide flaws of our human realities. Bottom line…they were all lies that sold IMAGE. The scriptures are clear as to whom the father of lies is, none other than the Devil himself--who steals, kills and destroys (John 8:44, 10:10).
Our children and teens are the target of IMAGE that promises acceptance and glamour yet delivers insecurities and frustrations. An unbiblical IMAGE is destructive and can never satisfy -- there's always a higher demand. Youth are ruthless and relentless with their honesty -- "you look good", or "that sucks" (yes, I say that for shock value, but your kids think nothing of it). What a trap, life-ripping, heart-breaking end result.
Here's a Biblical Self Image foundation:
1. Accept that we are created in God's Image (Genesis 1:27)
2. Accept myself as acceptable to Christ (Romans 15:7)
3. Accept the fact that I will not be liked or loved by everyone (John 15:18,20)
4. Reject the "I can't" syndrome: measure up, do anything right, love others (Philippians 4:13)
5. Reject the pressure of the world's standard of position and performance (Romans 12:1,2)
6. Reject all the lies of new fad diets, equipment and quick fixes (1 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 1:6)
Today's thoughts are just an appetizer to a full healthy Biblical serving of both self image and self worth. True self image – “worth" absolutely begins, ends, remains with God and not in the opinions of others. "The LORD does not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
I've got to end with some friendly Camp reminders. Here at T Bar M Camps I love the fact that tall, short, chubby, thin, freckled-faced kids return home realizing that they were not teased for a full week out of their year. I love that a young WOG recognizes that her value is not in apparel and accessories. Then I get really close to boasting when the Camp Travis WOGs dump the makeup, fufu spray and other tools and rest in their inner beauty while at camp. MACs trade in their worries and efforts of six pack abs, attitudes of style'n and profile'n for real hang time and life challenges of being God's man just as God planned.
Wow, I'm glad Biblically the pressure is off and the privilege of living out God's Grace is on. Want to go deeper?? Do a personal dig into the "Put Off/ Put On" challenge found in Ephesians 4:22-25.
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