In Its Time

Lydia G. Belsley, Cedarville UniversityFollow

Keywords

Cedarville, undergraduate, literary journal

Department/School of Contributor's Major

Science and Mathematics

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Disciplines

Type of Work

Art

Description

In a world which emphasizes external beauty, it is easy to place excessive value on our appearance. The truth is, our bodies will become frail and withered over time. In creating the charcoal art piece In Its Time, I hope to highlight the Bible's differing view on beauty: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end," (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We may find peace in knowing that the Lord finds each of us beautiful throughout all stages of life, from youth to old age.

Credits to the photo of the old woman which I drew from go to Josh Wentz. You can find the original photograph and more of his work here: https://www.flickr.com/people/joshandjuls/. The portrait of the younger woman was drawn using this photograph (author unknown): https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457608012133259126/.

DOI

10.15385/jcr.2025.25.16

Contributor's Note

Growing up overseas in Afghanistan and Turkey, I was introduced to many differing ideas of beauty. In a world where physical appearance is disproportionately elevated above character, this portrait of a Turkish woman (who exhibits signs of aging, failing eyesight, etc.) directly violates the aesthetic-driven society we live in. As anxiety, negative self-image, and other harmful elements increase within our culture, it is especially important to find our worth according to scripture’s definition of beauty, as depicted in 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Formed and made in the image of God, it is our inner fruit—not Earthly beauty standards—which make us beautiful.

12 In Its Time.pdf (6343 kB)

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Recommended Citation

Belsley, Lydia G. (2025) "In Its Time," Cedarville Review: Vol. 25, Article 12.
DOI: 10.15385/jcr.2025.25.16
Available at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/cedarvillereview/vol25/iss1/12