This is one reason I love Lisa Bevere. She’s spoken on this topic multiple times and openly rejects altering herself as she ages! Such a great way to steward influence. And - great piece!
Yes, she's a great example! Thanks for commenting, Phylicia. Your ministry is a big blessing and it means a lot that you read this and shared encouragement!
A vague hit piece on Botox turned deeply introspective meditation on the meaning of Christian suffering was not on my bingo card for today, but boy howdy was this a wonderful read.
I am put in mind of a particular Bible verse which captures this idea of leaving the foundation:
“Even if you were to soar high like an eagle, even if you were to make your nest among the stars, I can bring you down even from there!” says the Lord.” - Obadiah 1:4
I could restack every line of this, Hannah. Thank you for steering us away from acting morally superior to those who've been led to believe their worth hinges on injecting chemicals in their skin. Like how I worded that all neutral and fair-minded? I should ask myself what lies they are believing that led them to see their worth depends on an ageless visage. It frustrates me far more when Christian leaders engage in this kind of foolishness than the average church goer. I think we are right to hold them more responsible. A long time ago, my sister asked me if it is a sin to get Botox because she said it feels so repugnant to her, it feels like we should be able to call it out as wrong, but she also doesn't want to judge those getting it if it's morally acceptable. I have been thinking about it ever since. I'm going to send her your article. Lord, save us from falling prey to the idols of our time! And save us from falling prey to pride if we didn't fall the first time! I love that you had a journal page where you wrestled with truths that didn't feel true as you grieved. Now I'm typing through tears. Praise God for holding you fast. Praise God you had the courage to really grieve and not just go through some sort of acceptable pantomime. These are hard-won truths friend. So grateful for you.
Thank you for the encouragement as always, my friend! "Save us from falling prey to pride if we didn't fall the first time!" is such a good way of putting it.
And such a thought-provoking question on if it is truly sin. The New City Catechism q+a's for "What is sin?" and "What is idolatry?" say: "Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law," and "Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security." I feel like I see pieces of how a choice like Botox (and other choices that have become culturally acceptable of what we do with our bodies) can fall under those definitions. Honestly I'd love to hear a strong pro-Botox argument from a believer. I think a lot of it comes down to how we view our own control over our bodies vs. see God as Creator!
Wowowowwow this is so good. I am writing a botox hit piece (almost) right now and this was illuminating. The same thoughts pop in my head when I see my fellow Christian women with botox, but I love the conviction that followed. wowoow so good.
Thank you so much, Jenna! Excited to read your piece! I think it's definitely an important thing to keep talking about and getting to the root of why these things have become so popular.
This is one reason I love Lisa Bevere. She’s spoken on this topic multiple times and openly rejects altering herself as she ages! Such a great way to steward influence. And - great piece!
Yes, she's a great example! Thanks for commenting, Phylicia. Your ministry is a big blessing and it means a lot that you read this and shared encouragement!
A vague hit piece on Botox turned deeply introspective meditation on the meaning of Christian suffering was not on my bingo card for today, but boy howdy was this a wonderful read.
I am put in mind of a particular Bible verse which captures this idea of leaving the foundation:
“Even if you were to soar high like an eagle, even if you were to make your nest among the stars, I can bring you down even from there!” says the Lord.” - Obadiah 1:4
Thank you for the kind words! And ooh yes, what a humbling verse. Also, anyone that uses the phrase "boy howdy" is my kind of person.
I could restack every line of this, Hannah. Thank you for steering us away from acting morally superior to those who've been led to believe their worth hinges on injecting chemicals in their skin. Like how I worded that all neutral and fair-minded? I should ask myself what lies they are believing that led them to see their worth depends on an ageless visage. It frustrates me far more when Christian leaders engage in this kind of foolishness than the average church goer. I think we are right to hold them more responsible. A long time ago, my sister asked me if it is a sin to get Botox because she said it feels so repugnant to her, it feels like we should be able to call it out as wrong, but she also doesn't want to judge those getting it if it's morally acceptable. I have been thinking about it ever since. I'm going to send her your article. Lord, save us from falling prey to the idols of our time! And save us from falling prey to pride if we didn't fall the first time! I love that you had a journal page where you wrestled with truths that didn't feel true as you grieved. Now I'm typing through tears. Praise God for holding you fast. Praise God you had the courage to really grieve and not just go through some sort of acceptable pantomime. These are hard-won truths friend. So grateful for you.
Thank you for the encouragement as always, my friend! "Save us from falling prey to pride if we didn't fall the first time!" is such a good way of putting it.
And such a thought-provoking question on if it is truly sin. The New City Catechism q+a's for "What is sin?" and "What is idolatry?" say: "Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law," and "Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for our hope and happiness, significance and security." I feel like I see pieces of how a choice like Botox (and other choices that have become culturally acceptable of what we do with our bodies) can fall under those definitions. Honestly I'd love to hear a strong pro-Botox argument from a believer. I think a lot of it comes down to how we view our own control over our bodies vs. see God as Creator!
Wowowowwow this is so good. I am writing a botox hit piece (almost) right now and this was illuminating. The same thoughts pop in my head when I see my fellow Christian women with botox, but I love the conviction that followed. wowoow so good.
Thank you so much, Jenna! Excited to read your piece! I think it's definitely an important thing to keep talking about and getting to the root of why these things have become so popular.
Loved this so much!
Thank you!!