Hotties vs. Ladies

I was reading a historical novel this evening when this idea popped into my head. Where once men tipped their hats to a lady because of their gender and womanly grace, now it seems that hotness (considered in today's world to be lots of skin, a tight body, and youthful sexiness) is the only way to get any acknowledgement from the average guy. I'm not harping on those wonderful, godly gentlemen who know Christ, but the culture in general. Is it just me, or do others out there agree that our culture has changed drastically because of TV, movies, and celebrity worship over the last 100 years?

This is not to say that men in the past didn't notice women's figures or faces, but I think that a woman's conduct and femininity (also known as lady-likeness) were prized and revered in those times in a way that they are not today. If someone wanted to compliment a woman back then they might have said, "She's a wonderful lady." "She's so gracious." "She's a true lady." "She's a beautiful lady." Most men were taught how to be gentlemen and be chivalrous to ladies, regardless of how old or plump or poor they might be.

Today, if you want a small glimmer in the spotlight of life, you need to be HOT. If the world doesn't think you're hot, too bad, so sad. Hotties are revered and treated with special honors. Hotness is always changing based on fashion and what the famous are doing and the latest new, young sensations. Instead of BEING beautiful, it's all about looking beautiful. The trouble with this perspective is that beauty fades, and every one of us has imperfections or things we feel don't measure up to the world's standards of hotness. So, young women starve themselves, get operations, experiment with tons of make-up and drastic hair changes and buy clothes and accessories galore only to feel empty inside. Proverbs 31:30 is right on, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Let me tell you about women who ARE beautiful and lady-like. There's one I know who I'll call Kari. Kari exudes a humble and gentle spirit. She is a faithful mother and wife and serves where her talents lie in the local church. She isn't flashy, she isn't made up, and she wears simple clothes from yard sales. But she's feminine and sweet and everytime I see her I think how much I'd like to be like her.

Then there is Henrietta. She is an older woman whose passion for Christ fills all she does. She tirelessly serves and seeks to reach the lost. She dresses attractively and is pretty, but her strong faith and her lovely laugh make her far more beautiful than clothes ever could. I could list many, many women I know who are beautiful ladies, from the inside out! Have you ever met a lady who looked plain on the outside but positively sparkled on the inside so that every time you conversed with her she became more and more pretty to you?

Now picture some of the current popular movie stars. They look voluptuous and sensual and exotic, but imagine what their lives must be like. Are they still "hot" when you think about their drug addictions, spiritual emptiness, sexually transmitted diseases, poor relationships, filthy mouths, and bad examples? Are you impressed by their fancy clothing and endless money even though they are bankrupt when it comes to character?

I'm not saying physical beauty is bad. I think we should strive to look our best and hopefully all of your husbands (if you're married) think you're hot in their eyes. Nevertheless don't chase after the empty and worthless goal of being hot to those in the world just because our culture values hotness above all else. Strive to BE beautiful above all. Strive to be a lady in a world that has forgotten what that means. Mimic ladies of the Lord instead of hot celebrities.

I am striving to teach my daughter how to be a lady, not a "hottie." I will strive to teach my son to respect all women and treat them well and to prize the lady of character above the ravishing beauty.