She carefully drove into the parking lot and practically snuggled her car next to her teacher’s vehicle. The teen driver gracefully stepped out of the driver’s seat offering hugs and cupcakes to everyone. She was radiant not because she was driving her first car, but because she knows who she is. She stayed and cleaned up after the meeting not because she needs to please others for approval, but because her heart is shaped as one who serves. How does this particular teenage girl possess such beauty and confidence when others around her are crying out for security and peace?

What’s Her Secret?

 *She has searched for her significance and found it in the Lord. She knows that her soul is at stake, so she prioritizes activities that are designed to teach her about God and bring her closer to Him.

*She understands that God made females to be in relationship, and knows that connection and communication are vital to her well-being. Therefore, she nurtures her relationships with the Lord, her family, special teachers, and other teens who make the same choices.

*She concentrates on praying for and encouraging friends, rather than expecting her friends to do things for her. She desires to make peers feel special and younger students feel important.

*She believes that receiving text messages from her mentor says more about her “status” than Facebook.

*She pursues dates with God first, and is waiting for Him to release her to date any guys in His perfect timing.

*She has developed beauty by discovering her gifts and interests that can be used to serve God and others. It is meaningful to her when others note her inner and outer beauty, and isn’t looking for anyone to refer to her as “hot.” She knows God made her to be His beloved, not someone’s prize.

Psalm 139 is a significant place for girls and women to go in order to find their source of worth and beauty. It’s important not to rush through this familiar passage, but to slowly let each verse of this Word attach to the heart. Building identity from the truth of God’s Word is not just a Christian thing to say; it’s the only thing that will lead to this kind of radiant lifestyle.