Gripped with anxiety and fear, I clung to my eleven-year-old daughter’s hand, as she escorted me into our church for a “Beautiful” mother/daughter night sponsored by our women’s ministry. Because my friend was the event coordinator, I had offered to do whatever she needed in my Tennessee volunteer spirit. And what Satan meant for evil, the Lord ordained for good.

The need was for a model in my age bracket (yikes—middle 40’s!) for the Clinique representative to demonstrate a skincare regimen. Willingly, even eagerly, I agreed, only to discover fifteen minutes prior to the event that I was to arrive naked faced.

How on earth could I face one of my greatest fears—being literally unmasked—on a stage in front of 150 beautiful ladies? The fleshly desire was to bail on my commitment, but the Lord’s whispers of His Truth thundered over Satan’s lies.

The Lie: my physical beauty is not enough.

The Truth: the beauty that matters most to God is my inner spirit.

1 Peter 3:3-5 tells us, Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

As the mother of two daughters (18 and 11 years old), I have continually poured into them the Word of God about their identity in Christ. However, I had somehow missed that Truth for myself.

The Truth:

I am His. Psalm 119:94
I am chosen. (John 15:16)
I am loved. (Romans 5:8)
I am worthy. (Ephesians 4:1)
I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16).
I am righteous. (Romans 10:4)
I am flawless. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
I am beautiful. (1 Samuel 16:7)
I am redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)

All of these promises of Christ’s identity in me are true because of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for my sin. The God of the universe ordained that “Beautiful” night of opportunity to teach, refine, and lovingly reveal an idol in my life.

Matthew 10:26-27 (NIV) tells us, There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. I am bound in shackles of darkness no longer because of the Lord’s revelation.

When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.

We each were made to love and worship God, but the most pressing question is, Who or what do we actually worship? We each have modern day idolatry in our lives. What do we do about our idols? How can we discern our idols? How can we be free from our idols?

Mark Driscoll provides a list of questions to help discern idols of the heart (taken from his June 18, 2006, sermon notes):

What are you most afraid of?
What do you long for most passionately?
Where do you run for comfort?
What do you complain about most?
What angers you the most?
All of your anger is about you.
What makes you happiest?
How do you explain yourself to other people?
How we explain ourselves may indicate our identity.
See, idolatry is building your life on anyone or anything other than Jesus….
What has caused you to be angry at God?
What do you want to have more than anything else?
What do you make the biggest sacrifices for?
Whose approval are you seeking?
     Is it Jesus?
And what do you treasure the most?

These questions are not for the faint of heart. They require authentic and transparent answers where heart surgery is often necessary. Humbly submit yourself to our heavenly Father who is absolutely crazy nuts in love with you! If you are ready and willing, the power of the Holy Spirit will guide you to the Truth.

As Christ followers and lovers of the Lord, our walk (heart/mind) will define who or what we truly worship. Daughters of the King, the whole wide world is watching… .