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True Beauty
(1 Peter 3:3-4 September 18th 2003)
In basic functions of life, there are thing that are always important like: the food we eat, the peace of mind. But looking at the United Nations survey, about 1.2 Billion people (or about 20% of the earth’s population) live off below $1. Another 3 Billion people live off under $2 which is about half of the 6Billion people in the planet.
About 30 years ago, Korea had to worry about food and survival daily. As of current however, the average earning is about $10,000. In other words, Korea had become a wealthy nation. 10 years ago, China’s economy was very poor. But now days, there is an article in newspaper that states that Korea needs to follow the example of China as they are slowly booming in economy.
In a recent newspaper article, there was a piece about how in the entire 1.3 Billion population of Chinese, the most popular thing is plastic surgery. Associated Press states that about 100 million of the young girls dreams of becoming model. It is said that many of the younger girls wants to have all the looks and be like the models. There was a woman in her early 20s who had graduated from Beijing University with degree in Gemology, and went to study abroad in England, she had spend a fortune in about 6months to look like a doll. Even the men work on their looks to get ahead of others in better paying jobs, what about women as well?
Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer said that anyone who does not have spiritual need is a snob. It is a challenge to the modern world because now it is all about looks and what not the person is made of. As we are living in a Capitalist society, it is overflowing with people trying to look “better” than anyone else.
I had a small conversation with my wife while ago. “I think the ladies now days are so pretty, do so much make up , higher in education, but the days when small and subtleness is gone.” I had to agree with that. I may be imagining, but the time when I was with the Korean War, the nation was in a lot of hurt. But during that time, many of the people around were more humane, and yet simple and organized, and kind looking. There were so many people who were trying to be more cultured.
When I meet with people who are cultured, I enjoy it. It is because they are totally different and fresh. Being cultured makes people beautiful. It makes the culture and the society around fresh. It is the thing that makes one’s mind much more fulfilling. It is far better than meeting a nice looking lady. The dictionary term is “Highly different in intelligence level, culture, and everything is almost solid in one’s mind, being creative.” It is so that one who has higher education or knowledge that does not make one a “sophisticated” person. It is through mental and physical training. The society makes it and wants it more and to make one’s self more advanced in its mindset, and to make it familiar. Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:4 that we are “….training and instructions of the Lord.”The immigrant churches that lack of manners and is in chaos, requires much more of those kinds of people. It starts all from the person who starts writing this essay.
So what is the beauty that we are looking as the followers of Christ?
What is the beauty that breaks all of time?
The Bible states to train and educate your inner being;
“Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quite spirit, which is God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:3-4)”
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone is more internal, more considerate to neighbors, to help the society with their skills, and to know of their limit and admit it?
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What is a healthy church? 
True Beauty