I’m not a fan of reality shows as my family can tell you, but the teaser for one caught my eye… True Beauty on ABC.  The basis is to bring together 10 young, physically attractive people in a contest that will award to the winner $100,000 and a spot in People’s magazine 100 Most Beautiful People.  The catch is that the constants are being judged primarily on their INNER beauty, not primarily their physical appearance.  

The constestants are secretly put in situations to expose what kind of person they are on the inside.  Based upon whether they pass or fail these tests, they either continue or are kicked off the show.   Now that is an interesting premise…

It was heartbreaking as the first contestant was shown, by video, how she failed the tests.  She instantly became defensive, embarrassed, angry, and moved to a state of denial as who she was in those situations was revealed to her.

I wondered what would happen if everything we said or did was secretly video taped for one month… and then played back for us in front of our family.  Then, what if by a technological breakthrough,  our thoughts were also recorded and played back at the same time?  One day that will happen with the only difference being that people’s entire life will be reviewed.

I couldn’t help but think about the Great White Throne Judgment when people will be confronted with their sin and hear from Jesus His evaluation which will be… “Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you” (Mt 7:23).  Only at that time the grief will be tremendously more profound as it will be eternal shame… and worse.

Scripture is clear about what true beauty really is…

   1 Peter 3:3  Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 

   1 Sam 16:7 For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

   Prov 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman (Or man) without discretion.

There are two kinds of beauty… outward and inner.  Outward beauty will fade with time for everyone.  Inner beauty, the kind that God works in a person, is like a fine diamond that never loses it’s luster.

Thought for consideration:  The truest test of who we are is what we do when we think no one is watching…