Looking Good vs. Being Good

Superheroes know the difference between looking good, being good and doing good. They know that "looking good" is the easiest of the three because it focuses on the surface and requires no real change. But the satisfaction derived from looking good is precarious and doesn’t last very long.

"Looking good" focuses on the moment. He/she only cares about how they appear on the outside. "Looking good" just wants everyone's attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. It means being the prettiest or most handsome, wearing the coolest clothes, driving the hottest car, living in the fanciest house. The problem is that looks and fashion change. Today’s hottest fashion won’t be so desirable tomorrow; it will be boring. Even worse, there is always the fear that someone else is going to come along who is prettier, has nicer clothes or better stuff.

At work or school, “looking good” defines success as making more money and having the most prestigious job title and office. “Looking good” doesn’t care how they acquire those things; the less effort the better. But “looking good” is always checking over their shoulder, scoping out the competition, to see if someone else is there to threaten their position.

When “looking good” thinks someone might be stealing their limelight, he/she has to do something to get the attention back. They spend their time and money hunting for more exotic clothes, plastic surgery to change their looks, fancier cars and houses. But the fear that they might be fading from center stage remains; it pushes them to more and more extreme looks and actions. In many respects, the economic crisis everyone talks about is the result of “looking good” instead of “being good” and making the best decisions. People bought houses and clothes and stuff that they couldn’t afford, relying on credit cards to finance living beyond their means. Businesses did the same thing, minimizing or outright ignoring the risks, as long as they could make their annual report look good.

Superheroes know that “being good” may not garner the most attention, but “being good” is ALWAYS the safest and most satisfying choice. “Being good” means people pay attention, not because “Being good” is the most noticeable, but because of how they feel when they hang out with “Being good.” “Being good” cares about others. “Being good” never has to worry that someone is going to discover that they really aren’t the prettiest or the richest. “Being good” is never threatened that someone else might steal the limelight or that others won’t think they are cool. “Being good” has a soul-deep sense of peace at who they are and what they are. They know that they can stand confident in the “presence of God”—and, if you can stand confident before Him, you can stand confident before anyone and in any situation! Lastly, Superheroes know that if they are focused on “being good” that “doing good” will follow—and, “doing good” is all part of saving the world.