Are We Ugly?

   “God don’t like ugly.” I cringed a little inside as I overheard two women chatting. I had no idea what the conversation was about but that phrase caught and cut me. Cliched sayings many times make God more like an American Idol judge rather than our sovereign Creator. But is it true? And if so, what does God consider ugly?
   If I were to ask people what they considered ugly, the responses would be as varied as the people. Polka dots, stripes, polyester, sexism, feminism, toxic masculinity, racism, the list would never end. But what is ugly to God? It’s not gender fighting, racism, clothing types etc. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NIV), “I have become all things to all people so that by all means possible I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share in its blessings.” Earlier in the same chapter Paul states that he became weak to win the weak, under the law to win those under the law etc. So clearly God does not consider our “outer” image to be ugly. So the answer of what is ugly to God is simple; it’s sin. Sin is ugliness to God because sin is what separates us from Him. Sin is what defiles God’s most beautiful creation, us.
 

 I remember when I was a kid, we had a cartoon that showed how a lie started out as a cute little creature and eventually grew into an uncontrollable monster. (VeggieTales was and is still a favorite of mine!) Now I get the theme was to show kids that a sin might start out cute but I think that’s really not an accurate depiction of sin. It is never cute in God’s eyes and it shouldn't be to us either. Instead view sin as a slug or leech that attaches itself to your heart, brain, and soul. The longer it stays attached, the bigger it becomes. Left unattended it becomes completely engorged until you are no longer visible between the suckers. Does any of that image sound “cute?” Sin is a monster from the moment it raises its head.

   We all have leeches, myself especially; in fact, I’ll go so far as to say that some of the biggest leeches are attached to people who sit in pews every Sunday. The wonderful thing is that God wants to pull the slugs off! He longs to reach out and pluck them; to make our hearts, minds, and souls whole again. It takes a single step, a heartfelt cry, and He is there. The removal process may take a little bit, because let’s be real, none of us have only one sin. But oh, the freedom you begin to have as each sucker is pulled off! The breathe of life that fills you up, the touch of God that makes you whole again! It’s worth every little pain of that leech popping off. That lady might be right in saying “God don’t like ugly,” so it’s a wonderful thing we were made in His image!