BOLD

bōld/

adjective

1. (of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.

2. (of a color or design) having a strong or vivid appearance.

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In case you missed it, 2017 was the year of the “Bold Lip”.

(And in case you’re also a male, I promise this post isn’t all about lipsticks, glosses and stains… I think you’ll find some value in this too!)

This beauty trend promises that a bold shade on your lips will add instant drama, sophistication and fun to your wardrobe. Eh, doubtful. But it looks good and so I went on the quest anyhow. I’ve read every article under the sun about what colors to wear for your skin tone, the best colors for the season, whether to chose a stain, matte or gloss and tricks to get your lipstick to last all day. I’ve even financially invested in this endeavor…. But when it came down to it- I just couldn’t leave the house with purple lips, I can’t take the plunge! I’m a neutral girl. Mainly because, well, let’s be real, not everyone can pull off a red lip. BUT as I often say- “to each their own”.

So, despite whether or not you’ve been rocking that bold lip, I can assure you that each of us have most certainly been called to live a bold life- a life full of color and light. “Living boldly” looks differently for different people, but it truly comes down to this: taking risks and living courageously outside of our comfort zones. When we are stretched beyond our own abilities, it reflects the power of God.

And as I uncovered a few tips and tricks in my extensive (and very educational) “Bold Lip” research, I found that these same thoughts had the potential to be quite useful in the heart of an individual striving to live a bold and reckless life for Christ.

CHOOSE WISELY

Not all shades will flatter all skin tones.

My path is not your path! Because we were each uniquely designed by a creative God, it’s important that we make choices through the filter of God’s Word and embrace where He has placed us. We must passionately pursue the full life we were born to live! Just because God uses someone a certain way and enables them with certain tools, doesn’t mean He’ll use the same method for you. (Thank goodness!) If you place yourself in His Hands, and give Him complete control, He will do something spectacular and unique to you and to your gifts.

Choose to follow God. Choose to trust in His plan for your life. Choose to embrace your unique purpose. When you choose wisely, you’ll be amazed at how BOLD and how confident you are in Christ.

EXFOLIATE

You must get rid of dead skin cells for the smoothest finish.

Did you know people exfoliate their lips? I didn’t realize how important this step was to the process of applying lipstick until I saw someone’s before and after pictures. Yikes.

The “dead skin” in our Christian lives can look like a lot of different things. Dead skin can be the build up of bitterness, the weight of burdens and trials, detrimental relationships, secret sins….

Get rid of them! Scrub them away! Easier blogged than done, I know. But I also know that The Word of God has been a soothing balm for my soul. Read and meditate on His Word and find a community that encourages you in the process.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

No beauty in the world will mask what is hard and corroded. So exfoliate often! You must be soft to be bold!

STAY IN THE LINES

Lip Liner adds definition and keeps the color from bleeding.

I used lip liner in high school and that was the last time. I rather not add another step in my beauty routine and I don’t think it’s all that necessary for lipstick… but I’m also not a professional.

One of my favorite quotes about living courageously is by Elisabeth Elliot:

“I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”

To me, this is what true boldness looks like. I want to step out of the box, do something big and be “totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything”; not for me, but for Christ!

This may sound strange to those who don’t know Jesus, but living a life that is reckless, or in our case bold, is only made possible when we are bound to Christ and dare I say: “His Rules”. Those who are ever really in bondage are those who are consumed and restrained by sin. When we walk according to His Word we will uncover more freedom in Christ than we ever thought possible- freedom to live, freedom to love, freedom to be generous and freedom to forgive.

COMMIT

The key to pulling off bold lipstick is to be outrageous, to know it and to love it.

Now, I LOVE this beauty tip and I wholeheartedly agree with it for lips and for life.

Whatever you do for Christ must be a commitment. Jesus went to the Cross for you and if that isn’t the most committed, most OUTRAGEOUS expression of love, then I don’t know what is!

Jesus should be everything to me, so what do I have to lose if I give up everything for Him?

Commit to that bold step you’re going to take! Light a fire under that bum. Step up. Step out. He’s waiting for you to be bold so that He can work BIG!

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Areas where I want to be audacious, courageous, bold…(you get the idea):

• Wearing bright lipstick 🙂
• Sharing my gifts and talents and utilizing them
• Using my voice to speak about injustice and racism
• Teaching others about the treasures found in the Bible
• Acting in faith. Taking steps when I can’t see the outcome
• But above anything, I desire to be bold IN LOVE: passionate about the love Christ has for me, as well as the love He wants to share through me.

Where and how would you like to display more courage? Share it with me! I’d love to hear!