Mirror, Mirror—Beauty is in the Eye of the Creator

When Sammantha Leung looked in a mirror, she longed to see a different reflection. A six-year battle with severe acne cast a shadow of despair over her life, spiraling her into depression. Countless unsuccessful medical treatments left her feeling hopeless and empty. As an atheist, she had no idea that there was a God whose love could break the chains of insecurity and set her free.

While studying at the University of Hong Kong, Sammantha was excited to learn that she would spend a semester abroad at the University of California in Irvine (UCI), the school where President Obama recently delivered a commencement speech. But that excitement faded when a month before her departure, she experienced an acute breakout that spread to every part of her face. The physical pain was so extreme she was unable to sleep or even touch her face. Even more unbearable were the emotional effects. Embarrassed by her appearance, Sammantha refused to look at her reflection in a mirror or make eye contact with people on the street. If she had to go out, she wore a mask to hide her face. “I felt that I was too disgusting and didn’t deserve attention from others or myself,” she reveals.

Sammantha had grown up in Hong Kong with atheist beliefs. She focused on self-reliance for her happiness, never knowing that there was a God who loved her unconditionally—even with her flaws. Shortly after arriving at UCI, Sammantha was invited to attend on-campus Bible study meetings. There, she learned about God’s perfect love. Contrary to society’s values, she discovered that her worth is found in God, not the opinion of others. At a women’s retreat, Sammantha opened her heart and invited Christ into her life.

In her new faith, Sammantha began to see her heart and life change. For the first time, she felt freed from the insecurity that dominated her life as it was replaced with an infectious inner beauty. She found added healing when she courageously posted a blog entry entitled, “My Honest Confession.” With close-up photos of her bare face and an impassioned narrative, she revealed her deepest struggles as a result of the acne. She also shared how through her relationship with Christ, she now has hope and new life. Her message to others is that beauty is in the eye of the Creator.

On Easter Sunday, Sammantha found her way to Saddleback Church through the brand-new UCI venue. She instantly felt a sense of family and began attending regularly. Earlier this month, surrounded by the cheers of her new church family, she publicly proclaimed her faith in Christ through baptism.

As her time in the States comes to a close, Sammantha is excited to return home and continue her spiritual journey at Saddleback’s Hong Kong campus. Once walking in weakness, she now stands tall in confidence, seeing herself as God does. And when she stops to look in the mirror, she sees the beautiful reflection of God’s perfect creation staring back.