Yesterday my husband and I were listening to a radio program where hosts discussed about ‘Good Looking People Make More Money’. They said, based on a recent research, pretty people get paid 5% higher than their counterparts. Meanwhile, the ‘penalty’ for being ‘ugly’ will cost you 9% less of wage. Means that good looking people gets 14% more money compare to those who aren’t lucky enough to be pretty.
It was not surprising, in the world that becoming more and more materialistic, the extension of Hollywood Kingdom which power ruled over mass media and the arising of plastic surgery industry, beauty becoming the number one commodity now. It reported worth of hundreds of billion dollars a year.
Where did the “inner beauty” holders go now? Do they grow old and lost power? It’s quite discouraging, especially for people whose look fall from beauty standard.
One of the reason is, they argue, beautiful people have more self confidence; the quality that make them hired or get promoted. Fact says, beautiful people treated better from the society which gradually builds their self esteem. Of course, this study result after other factors such experience and education was taken out. Because over all, intelligence and talent still are the premium factors of one’s success.
What the Bible response to this motion?
The Bible clearly stated that people fell from grace and destroyed the Image of God (Rm 3:23). This is the primary reason why so many people have bad self esteem and rely on physical appearance to be accepted. Once a person met Jesus and his/her self image restored, he/she will not looking toward his/her self the same again (Rm 3:24-25).
Initially, all the creation of God is unique and beautiful. Not only we are special delivery on the earth, but we are also specifically customized for a purpose. Finding that purpose and living with it is far more important than having big eyes and pointed nose. Once we are driven by the purpose of God in our lives suddenly the physical appearance not become a factor anymore.
As a normal human being, let say, I also like to see beautiful and handsome people. They caught my eyes, attracted me to know them more or just to be present around them. But many times, I found, those people are not as attractive as they should be. Some handsome men are self consumed and some beautiful women are selfish, thinking that the earth rotating to their own being. Those kinds of people trashed their beauty because they have not enough good personality to hold it tight.
Vice versa, I’ve met unattractive people -well, at least, when it measured by universal standard-, whose personality captured my heart. Their intelligence, talent, interpersonal skill, religious view, are speaking out loud, that they are indeed beautiful people. These kinds of people that I want to be surrounded with forever.
Therefore, for those who feel out casted because of their look, meet Jesus and let Him restored your self image. Second, develop yourself, get more education and experience, know more makes you feel better. Finally, don’t stop growing inside; means determine to be a better person in personality and character as part of your life process.
Have you read Turning Hurt Into Hope? Get it on Metanoia, Gramedia or Other Christian Book Store in Indonesia. Or buy it online, here.
Leave a Reply