Beauty n Brains by Aije Barnes, May 3 issue 1 Vol 5

Wow what a topic! When I was first asked by Mrs Regina Moore, Pioneer of Women's Power Hour, to share on the above topic for the 4th anniversary of WPH Sierra Leone, my immediate reaction to myself was 'What could that possibly mean?' 

Anyway, like a true trooper, I said okay, but had no idea what I was just about to embark on. My first hurdle was to try and link up with the SL radio station from the UK was,  umm... Let's say,  a challenge. A very big one at that. To cut the long story short, it just didn't happen for more reasons than one. Nevertheless, the topic was mine to share and not knowing what to share, I called for help from the Lord. I went to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and found grace to help me in my time of need. So, here is what I have received and am gladly sharing with you. 

The lady in scripture that came to mind when I combined the words 'beauty' and 'brains' together, is Hadassah. Did I hear some of you say who?  Yes I mean Hadassah aka Esther. Before I begin sharing with you further, I would like to clarify to you that by the use of the word 'brain', I mean 'the correct application of oneself'.

Esther was both beautiful and had brains which positioned her to take the place of another woman who was also beautiful but had no brains. This lady's name was Vashti. Vashti paid a great price for her lack of brains. She lost her place as queen, and with it, all her royal estate. 

The book of Esther chapters one and two,  gives you the story of what happened that caused this interesting event to take place. You will find in these two chapters, that there were two characteristics which made both women stand out with regards to how they applied themselves. These are humility and obedience for Hadassah aka Esther, and pride and disobedience for Vashti. 

Vashti, with all her beauty, opulence and high royal estate, could not bring herself to obey her husband's, the king's command to come into his presence so that he could show off her beauty to his guests. This disrespect to the king in front of all his guests and the royal household, stood as a bad example to all the women of her vast province and kingdom, and made the king to take the decision to replace her. 

Hadassah on the other hand, who was an orphan and captive in a strange land, humbled herself under the care of her uncle, Mordecai, and obeyed everything he advised her to do. This won her favour in the eyes and hearts of all the royal household especially the King, who chose her as his queen above all the other beautiful virgin maidens that were prepared and presented before him. 

So you see, it is not enough to be beautiful, you must also have 'brains' in order to position yourself for success. Humility and obedience are key characteristics which you must combine with your beauty.  This is what the scriptures says: 'But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ KJV)' And, 'Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ KJV)' And concerning obedience: 'If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ KJV)'.

Ladies, the world has set its own standards on how you should live and conduct yourself in order to be successful. These are not always godly and though they may appear to get you somewhere in life for a little while, you will not be positioned for your true potential and greatness because as the scriptures says: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭1‬ KJV). 

Daughter of Zion, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own; (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ NIV). And with regards to your outward appearance, you may or not, grace the minds of everyone in the world. Nonetheless, you are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ NIV). Therefore take good care of the body God has given you and apply yourself correctly with humility and obedience to God's calling in your life, no matter how great or small that calling may be, for everything concerning you is important to Him. Then watch Him raise you up to your full potential. 

Shalom