The Cracked Acorn – The Power of Inner Beauty

For soldiers on the battlefield, seeing the A-10 Thunderbolt, affectionately called the “Warthog,” flying over brings encouragement. Though not a sleek plane, the Warthog has a powerful presence that signals hope and support. With its sturdy design and role in rescuing others, the A-10 has gained a reputation as a fighter’s friend, often proving that purpose and resilience hold more value than appearance.

This idea of embracing “ugly” qualities has long been part of storytelling, from “The Ugly Duckling” transforming into a beautiful swan to “Beauty and the Beast,” a tale of love beyond looks. Characters like the green, hulking Shrek, or the scarred Freddy Krueger continue to captivate audiences. Their “ugly” appearances don’t limit their impact; these figures are widely celebrated, showing that there’s beauty in what society might dismiss as unattractive.

In real life, many have suffered from disfigurement and faced emotional challenges far deeper than what’s seen on the surface. Burn victims, war heroes, and trauma survivors often carry visible scars as reminders of their bravery. For some, the prospect of a face transplant offers a second chance—a chance to rebuild not only their features but also their confidence. One soldier who survived a devastating burn while saving others now uses his experiences to counsel others, reminding us all that inner beauty can shine even when outer beauty is transformed.

Face transplants offer a chance for those with scars and injuries to reclaim a sense of normalcy. As technology advances, some may even choose to donate their faces to those in need after they pass. This opportunity has given hope to those with visible scars, especially veterans and burn victims, whose faces carry the stories of survival and courage. Just as a blind person experiencing sight for the first time might feel overwhelmed by new wonders, a burn victim seeing their “new” face might find fresh hope in life’s beauty.

Inner beauty is not always visible, but it shapes how we live and view others. This idea is reflected in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who describes the “suffering servant”:

“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.” — Isaiah 53:1-4

Similarly, the verse from Proverbs, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30), points to a deeper value system, one based on character and kindness rather than appearance.

The lyrics of an old hymn, “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen in Me,” echo this call for inner beauty:

“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His wonderful passion and purity; May His spirit divine all my being refine, Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. When somebody has been so unkind to you, Some word spoken that pierces you through and through; Think how He was beguiled, spat upon, and reviled, Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you. From the dawn of the morning to close of day, In example, in deeds, and in all you say; Lay your gifts at His feet, ever strive to keep sweet, Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.”

This song suggests that true beauty isn’t just about what we see but how we act, live, and love.

Our society’s fascination with beauty sometimes creates unrealistic standards, affecting self-image, especially among young people. We’re reminded that real beauty is resilient as we look at stories like the Warthog A-10, beloved “ugly” fictional characters, and the bravery of those who bear scars. This beauty stays with us when looks fade, holding a lasting value far beyond the superficial.