Who would predict that a little baby born with no nose, no palate, and no upper lip would years later be standing on a platform in front of 1500 people teaching God’s Word? Though one doctor said to her mother “send her home to die,” and another doctor said, “don’t try to save her life because even if she lives, she will never be able to speak or eat properly and will have a miserable life as a social outcast,” this baby’s mother knew in her heart that her child was a special gift from God. After twenty-six surgeries over fifteen years, speech therapy for eleven years, continuous dental work, this child is now an adult leading a ministry called Crown of Beauty International, helping women around the world to know how valuable they are and how they can display the beauty of our Lord.
This woman is me, Sue Corl. I am so grateful to the Lord for all He has done in my life. I am very thankful for my mother who always trusted in God’s truth that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Dear brothers and sisters, if you have feelings of self-rejection, self-hatred, or shame, please know that this is not God’s heart toward you. As Ephesians 2:10 says, you are God’s precious workmanship which He thoughtfully designed. You are made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27). This means that you have the full potential to reflect the beauty and character of God. Don’t focus on the image the world puts forth of who is beautiful or valuable. You are not made in the image of a model, a movie star, or a famous Christian speaker, or any other person you admire. You are UNIQUELY created to reflect our beautiful, loving, creative God. He has made you different from everyone else and He wants you to express your uniqueness to those around you. He wants you to be 100% authentically you!
Ask the Lord how you can display His splendor to those around you today. And remember, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
-Sue Corl