An Open Letter

"Measuring sticks try to rank some people as big and some people as small, but we aren’t sizes. We are souls. There are no better people or worse people, there are only God-made souls. There is no point trying to size people up, no point trying to compare, because souls defy measuring."

-Ann Voskamp

To my little sisters in Christ,

You are beautiful. Each and everyone of you. After all, you bear the very image of God! Any shortcomings you may perceive in your body, personality, gifts, and abilities in comparison to others is an insult to our Creator.
You were created with intention; no flaws or imperfections.
"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"- Psalm 139:14

But just in case you don't struggle with low-self esteem enough on your own,
sometimes people will step in to help and do the comparing for you.
Sometimes they will make polls to vote for who they think is prettiest.
Sometimes this will happen even in Christian institutions.

And for that, I'm so sorry.
It breaks my heart that I can't shield you from the hatred and evil in this world.
I pray that you will use these moments as opportunities to witness. To display God's grace. To define true beauty. Because the only thing that can drive out this sort of hatred is love- God's perfect, radiant love. This is a unique opportunity you have been given: "to let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16

 

Lastly, remember that comparison is a deadly weapon. It robs joy. It beats people down. Rather than uniting us, it often drives the church apart. Be ever cautious and slow to judge. "Do not consider his appearance or his height,  for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

-1 Samuel 16:7

your sister,
Kyla