THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL by Nicole Byrum

During my preschool and kindergarten years, I spent many of my post-school hours at my grandparents’ home. I have so many fond memories of that time: playing barbies, eating peanut butter by the spoonful with my grandpa, and “checking on the garden.” But I can’t think about those years without thinking about the soap operas that adorned their television every afternoon. As a child, I could’ve told you every character’s name from The Young and the Restless! It was my grandparents’ favorite. Although I never paid much attention to the other ones, I do remember one called The Bold and the Beautiful. As with all the other soaps, I recall the introduction of the show being filled with attractive women in luxurious dresses. They seemed to be the prime example of beauty.

Although l (like most women) have the desire to feel beautiful, I’m so thankful to know that fancy dresses and perfectly placed hair and makeup are not the features by which our Lord defines beauty! While we know God is the author of physical beauty in all that He created, the prophet Isaiah records another kind of beauty that is pleasing to the Lord:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV).

This chapter speaks to the Lord’s coming salvation and notes that those who proclaim the good news that God reigns carry a unique beauty! After all, what could be more beautiful than proclaiming the good news of our awesome God? As a runner, I’ve always loved the imagery of that verse. Our feet become beautiful when we go into all the world preaching the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul mentioned this particular verse in Romans chapter ten. Here we see him preaching that the message of salvation is for all—both for the Jews and the Greeks. But we also see Paul challenging his fellow believers to spread this message. He asks in verse 14, “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (ESV)

Paul is essentially saying, “Hey! We have amazing news, but the only way people can know about it is if we tell them!” In verse 15, he then says, “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”(ESV)

And the good news is what we have, for we know of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! When we share the Gospel of Christ, it is pleasing to our Father. Truly, there is not a time when we are more lovely to Him.

It’s certainly no mystery that we are living in tense and conflicted times. Perhaps now more than ever the world is in need of the Gospel. However, Jesus warned his disciples in John, chapter 15, to expect the world to hate them. He himself also stated that in this world they would have trouble—but to take heart, for he has overcome the world (John 16:33). Those words are just as true for us today. As we are not of the world, the world will hate us. We will have troubles. But the truth also still stands: Our Savior has overcome the world. His victory over death is our confidence and the reason we can be bold.

I’ve always loved the verse of 2 Timothy 1:7, which reminds us who we are: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (ESV) Throughout all of Scripture, we see God the Father and God the Son commanding us not to be afraid, to fear not—for He is with us. As the Psalmist exclaimed, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6 ESV)

As we go about our daily lives, I pray we will recognize the opportunities all around us to share the good news of the Gospel. There may be times we feel hesitant or uncomfortable in this. But dear friends, we are living in a world in desperate need of Jesus.

I encourage you to join me in consistently praying the words Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:19-20: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (NIV)

Amen. Let the cry of our hearts be to boldly proclaim Christ, that we may have beautiful feet swift to carry the good news.

Photo By Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2 NJKV)

Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 14 years of experience in community mental health. She is the author of Remade: Living Free, a book written for women in recovery from substance abuse and unhealthy relationships. Nicole also maintains a blog at nicolebyrum. com as well as a podcast, 5 Minute Word. Both focus on topics related to faith and relationships. She lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, running, or cooking.

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