Platform shoes are one of this season's hottest fashion trends. During the 70's these shoes were required fashion items for both men and women. John Travolta, Elton John, and Kiss wore bold platform shoes that broke all the rules.

Interestingly, King Louis XIV also wore platform shoes. Despite his many accomplishments as a successful military leader and builder, Louis XIV was not happy. His stature of five foot three so disturbed him that he tried to look taller by wearing elaborate wigs and five and half-inch platform shoes.

His attempts to camouflage his height fooled no one. In fact, his efforts served only to call attention to his insecurity. The truth is, King Louis XIV was a successful monarch. He didn't need to stand “head and shoulders above the crowd to be triumphant.

Platform shoes are fun and colorful, but they just as they didn't bring Louis self-acceptance, public acclaim, or adequate compensation for his height, they won't do that for us either. Balanced, healthy self-esteem and confidence come from Divine approval and not platform shoes.

Psalm 89:15-16 reads, “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in your righteousness they are exalted.'NKJV

When my youngest wants to know she has my full attention, she takes my face in her hands and turns it to meet hers. In a sense, my face is “shining" on her. Likewise, when God's face shines on us, we have his attention and his approval. Self-esteem, confidence, and approval come from the knowledge that we are walking in the warm glow of his gaze, and standing in the light of his presence. We benefit from the light of his gaze