I can remember the day I glanced in the mirror and casually attempted to swipe away the dark hair that streaked across my forehead — only to realize it would not swipe away. Because it was not in fact a hair, but a lovely wrinkle in my face. It was actually comical enough for me to laugh, and then go, “huh, maybe I should use that anti-aging cream gathering dust in my drawer upstairs.”
We’re a generation of women with endless resources available to support the youthful image our culture has elevated and exalted. I’m all for moisturizer and I’m not celebrating every time I see an indicator that my body was never meant to last forever; but I do think as a people who believe what God tells us is true, we have the gift of reframing available to us. I love a look of strength and beauty, but what if we had eyes to see strength and beauty beyond the obvious flawless face?
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16
Reframing What We See
What if we saw a ten years later photo and looked for more than how our faces have changed? What if we aged with grace? With hopeful expectation. With eager eyes?
What if we saw the story? What if we reflected on what God was doing then, remember his faithfulness, and told the story about the shaping of our hearts? I literally just witnessed someone doing this. This woman posted pictures of 10 years ago and right now, and told a story. A really beautiful one. About what was happening in that photo, what they grieved, what they celebrated, and how God had shown up. It was not condemning, it was not arrogant, but it pointed to something bigger than her age. LET’S DO THAT!! If you are considering posting with this trend… please tell a story like that!
Here’s the thing… if we believe this life isn’t it, then every day we pace and plan is one step closer to the forever we are promised. And if your knee is bowed in surrender to the One who invites us to come to Him — then this current version of life will be far surpassed by what is being prepared. Every day we are a little closer to the one who formed us. A little closer to the wiping away of tears, to perfect peace without interruption, to a life with no more sorrows. We are a little closer to goodness and beauty unhindered by brokenness and corruption and life at a fuller measure than we ever imagined possible. We are a little closer to eternity. So when we see a face marked by age, let’s reframe our vision to see one inching closer to what has been promised.
As children of the King, we were made for what is coming.
“For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling… so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God…” 2 Corinthians 5:2,4b-5
Let’s look forward to that. We sure don’t have to celebrate when our hip starts hurting after a run, or our smile lines get deeper… but we can reframe it. We can shape our response with the truth that we are a little closer to the forevers we are promised with the One who loves us deepest, and maybe even feel the thrill of that hope.