They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Last Friday night, I beheld the beauty of my 17-year-old daughter as she headed off to her junior prom.

She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress, the right shoes, the best hair and makeup styles. All in all, it was a wonderful season for us (though I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been a touch of melancholy in my heart about how quickly she is growing up and how close we are to sending her out into the world as an adult).

We’ve scoured Pinterest for ideas about hair and corsages, and we’ve laughed at some of the more outlandish things we’ve seen (ring corsages? Really?). We spent an afternoon searching for just the right shoes – high enough heels to work with her dress but comfortable enough to wear for several hours. And with every moment, my one desire has been to remind her of two things: her appearance doesn’t define her worth, and her heart is where true beauty resides.

The world tells our daughters (and us too) that beauty is about what other people see in our appearance and what we see in the mirror. But God’s Word gives us a far different description and definition of beauty.

Perhaps one of the most familiar passages on beauty is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry, but rather what is inside the heart – the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

People can’t see what’s in our heart as easily as they notice beautiful hair or a trendy outfit, but those inner things are what really matter.

Paul gives a more detailed list of what we should be wearing in Colossians 3:12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

I love verse 14 – Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

The way we treat others is our greatest opportunity to reveal God’s love for everyone. All the beautiful prom dresses will eventually be something their daughters laugh about. The perfect hairstyles will one day make them question what they were thinking. But one thing will remain: the love in their hearts for God and for others.

Friday night, my daughter had a Cinderella-esque moment. We took photos and told her how lovely she looked. But the most important thing, the words I hope she not only heard but also believed are these, “Remember what really matters. Enjoy tonight and be thankful for all of it. But most of all, don’t forget who you are and Whose you are!”

Because true beauty really is in the eye of the Beholder and the lasting, imperishable beauty is our hearts, devoted to Him.