Three years ago, I was thinking about No Shave November, and how guys were always in this epic battle to see who could grow the biggest, most prestige beard, and I thought to myself, why don't women participate in some sort of festivity for the month of November? And there the idea came... no makeup November. While many men do participate in No Shave November to raise money or awareness for very good causes, like testicular cancer research, I wanted to do something that would raise awareness of the struggle that women face in the world today to be all that magazines, movies and media make them believe they need to be. I wanted to do something that would raise awareness of this battle that women are facing day in and day out to try and be all that the world is telling them they need to be in order to fit in and feel satisfied, even to the point of self degradation, starvation and humiliation.
The point of No Makeup November is to allow women to feel empowered, and not by covering themselves up with makeup, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge that they have a loving Father who has created them just as they are, beautiful and unique, with a specific purpose and role in this life. I want women to know that they are enough just as they are. The struggle is all too real for women, and often times, I think this statement is deemed cliche, but it is so incredibly true. The image that the world paints of what a woman should look like is so distorted, and for lack of better words, ridiculously messed up, and my heart desires, even painfully yearns for truth to be spoken into the lives and hearts of women who are battling this struggle. God has created you, yes YOU, with great detail and careful and perfect planning, and you are beautiful, strong, important, cared for and loved by a good God who is so incredibly happy to call you HIS child.
This year, No Makeup November will look a lot different for me. When I first started participating in No Makeup November, I decided that I would take baby steps, and I would start off by just reducing the amount of makeup I wore. For years one and two, I decided to wear only light skin makeup and a layer of mascara, since I usually wore eyeliner and such. Year three came, and I decided to get rid of the skin makeup, and just go for the thin layer of mascara. Year three transformed my perception of how I saw myself, and the Lord allowed me to see myself the way that He does, and since last November, I haven't really worn eyeliner, and on rare occasions when I have, I have felt uncomfortable and not myself. God is showing me that I can be confident in who I am, even my light-makeup-wearing self. So, this year, for No Makeup November 2014, I am all in. I am all in in my commitment to wear absolutely no makeup for one whole month. I am all in in my commitment to seek my identity and confidence in Christ alone. I am all in in my commitment to posting encouraging notes to other women who are going to step into this journey with me. I am all in in my commitment to praying for the women of this world who are struggling with image, and finding their confidence in Christ alone. I commit to praying for those women who have been abused, abandoned, taken advantage of, and looking for hope and restoration. I commit to embracing the inner beauty that I fully believe God has instilled within me, and I commit to helping other women discover that beauty.
This past year has been an incredible learning experience for me, regarding how I choose to identify myself, how I choose to view myself, and how I choose to respond to my thoughts. This has been a year of learning how to look into the mirror and embrace what I see, and thank God for the way I am, every crooked tooth, blemish on my skin and curve on my body. This past year has taught me so much about the Lord's heart and how much he loves and cares for me, that he must be weeping every time I think or talk poorly of myself, because I am degrading the incredibly articulate masterpiece that He took so much time, energy and care in creating.
This year, I am embracing the beauty of simplicity, and I am choosing to allow the power of Christ to fill me with the confidence I need to defeat the lies that this world is trying to throw at me. The choice is yours, ladies... will you join me? If so, I would love to be praying for you, and I would love to encourage you, so please do not hesitate to let me know that you are joining in! We are a support system, and two is always better than one! Happy No Makeup November!!
