Lent starts tomorrow. It’s a season of reflection in preparation for Easter, the day we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. During Lent, Christians replicate Christ’s sacrifice in the desert for 40 days by giving something up on the 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading to Easter.

While praying about what to give up this year, I reflected on last year. I gave up makeup. I wanted to shift my focus from my self-image to the image of God.

That was six weeks without mascara or eyeliner or concealer.

Now I don’t think makeup is a bad thing. I hate when boys say girls look prettier without makeup. (Because self-respecting girls aren’t putting on makeup just for your attention.)

And it’s not that I don’t want to care about how I look. I want to be satisfied with how I look. I want to see myself in the mirror and like what I see regardless of anyone else’s opinion.

As I went through Lent with a bare face and reflected on the image of God, I realized I don’t really think about what He looks like physically. (He’s kinda just this bright light in my head). Reflecting on the image of God means reflecting on His character. I think of His grace, His holiness, His love.

And I realized, when I think of my image, I want to focus more on my character rather than my physical features.

It’s nice when someone says they like my eyes or my teeth or my nose. But I didn’t choose those features. The compliments I care about are ones that note what I’ve worked on within myself.

When you compliment me, tell me how beautiful my generosity is, how refined my wit is, how I listen in a way that makes what you say feel valued.

And I want to do the same for others. When I think of someone’s image, I want to focus more on their character rather than their physical features. I want to pay attention to what they’ve developed within themselves.

I want to speak on how you describe things very humbly, how you carry joy so effortlessly, how you demonstrate self-discipline by not breaking a fast when there’s free pizza.

Of course, if I like your pixie cut or long lashes or incredible posture I’ll let you know (unless I’m feeling too shy).

I just want to make sure I draw attention to character and not only looks.