As women, in the modern world and church, we are fast loosing sight of the true spirit of femininity and passions that God has called us to uphold. In place of seeking to become the woman of Proverbs 31, we have been seeking to become the independent self-sufficient, new super-women of the modern age (aka "Martha Stewart"), cut and dried with clothes and make-up in place...a batch of cookies in the oven...an agenda that would make the Queen of England blush, and a calender of activities that would make our grandparents turn over in their graves. We try to do all the right things, have the right looks, go the right places, date the right guys, and even show our face in just the right "good Samaritan activities"... but more than not, it has become all about us!What is life going to give us...what is God going to do for us...what is true love going to win for us?? When we stop a moment to take a breath, have a massage to de-stress, and take some "me time" to keep from turning into a mess, we discover, "Maybe being this woman of the new age isn't that spectacular after all. Maybe there is something more!"
Could that something more be "Biblical Christ-centered Femininity"??
Being a carefree-country-girl-tom-boy from my early years, one who didn't care about fashions much less wearing dresses or staying in the kitchen with the girls, most would not have looked at me as a champion of sweet simple godly femininity. "Come on, she'd rather be building a fort in the woods, climbing a mountain, or planting trees!" But actually, surprise of all surprises, I am!! I am a huge champion of Biblical Christ centered femininity, and I have been for most of my life. However, the older I get, the more important it has become to me.
No, I'm not talking about the quaint prissy type of woman that can't get her fingers dirty, or play in the rain. I'm not talking about the fragile pale princess that can't do good deeds unless a guy is watching her or make any decisions on her own. I'm talking about the Christ centered vigilant woman...the woman that will do whatever it takes to take care of others, comfort the hurting, and rescue the lost! (This can get pretty dirty sometimes!) I'm talking about the daring kind of woman that will do whatever it takes to guard her heart...even if that means acting by principle instead of emotions! (In other words, she doesn't play around with guys just for fun!). I'm talking about the woman that will at all cost take care of her body (it's not just to be used as an "Entertainment center" but rather was designed to be a "Holy Temple"). I'm talking about the kind of godly Christ centered femininity that will jealously guard her bridegroom and love (Jesus Christ) with a holy jealousy and passion that will not let go!
The woman of Proverbs 31 was definitely a hard worker...and she was beautiful in her own rite, but she wasn't consumed with "herself." She was consumed with others...to minister and to serve, to feed her household, to be productive and do things that count for eternity!
This morning I was reading in John 6 and when I came to verse 27, I came to a thoughtful stop. While the passage is not about women, it really spoke to my heart about the type of "Woman" God wants his daughters to be. It goes like this:
"Labour not for meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you."
The thing that sets apart (no pun intended) the woman of Proverbs 31 is that she doesn't labour for "meat that perishes." She labours for that which is eternal...the welfare of her household, her husband, and her walk with God!
And straight and simple, I believe that is what God is calling us to be as women...set-apart for Him! He desires us as woman to labour for things of eternal value! Forget the foolishness and vanity...forget trying to climb the ladder of prestige or popularity...forget about making money and trying to be on top of a worldly career! We don't have time for that... In Matt 6:33 it encourages us:
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and ALL these things shall be added unto you!"
I don't know what "all these things are," but I'm pretty sure it means that God will take care of my needs, and He'll take care of where I should be. My task is to re-evaluate the priorities of my life and to put away anything that is keeping me from seeking Him first. My goal is to learn to put my time and energy where it really matters, in nurturing relationships, winning souls, and saving the lost for God's kingdom!
I may not be all elegant and dignified, wear robes of silk and purple, or make fine linen to sell (I did try a few times, but always decided playing with the boys in the mud was more fun)...but I long to be the woman of Proverbs 31 that will never let my lamp go out ("Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105), that will always be quick and ready to offer a hand to those in need, that will do good to my husband all the days of my life (even before I ever know him), and that will be more concerned with others than I am with myself!
No, that doesn't mean "girly things" don't matter to me! I may be a country-girl grown-up tom-boy, but just in case you were worried...I am still a true girl and romantic at heart. I do wear dresses now....sometimes....I love children, and I actually love working in the kitchen! And my closest friends are not boys anymore, but a group of priceless treasures...godly, set-apart, beautiful feminine girls! (Yes, if there are any guys reading this, these kind do still exist! But in case you were hopeful, I'm not passing out numbers. You have to find them yourself, and I suggest the first place you look in the search is "Jesus Christ.")
But more important than all of this beautiful "girly stuff," I am a champion of Biblical Christ-centered femininity...the kind of femininity that will do and dare to live for God...even if its unpopular, even if it means getting a little dirty, and even if it means doing things completely different than the rest of the world. I wont ever be on the cover of a vogue or beauty magazine (never wanted to) and may not be beautiful to the vast populous of the world, but that doesn't matter.
After all, my only goal is to please my true bridegroom, Jesus Christ!!
"Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31"30
[End Note: In my pursuit of this goal over the last 10 years, there is a special couple that have been a huge blessing and inspiration in my life, and that is Eric and Leslie Ludy.
I was first introduced to them by my friend LaRae, when she gave me their book "His Perfect Faithfulness." (This book has been revised and expanded to the current title "When Dreams Come True" - Eric and Leslie's true story of how God brought them to each other and scripted their love story.) Authors of almost 15 books now, all dealing with living the set-apart life for God, and getting out of the world and closer to God, they have had a huge impact in my life! Back in 2005 I started attending their seminars and retreats...I've been to six of them now, and can't wait for the next!
If you read any of Leslie's work, you will see how (while we are very different and come from different perspectives and backgrounds) she's blessed and encouraged "godly femininity" in my life in a profound way. And she has become a true inspiration and friend. Well, this past fall, she shocked me by asking if I would be willing to help write for her new girls Online magazine, "The Set-Apart Girl." I love to write, and I definitely am a champion of godly femininity, but I was humbled at the prospect. What an honor, to consider the opportunity to share beside one of my favorite authors and inspirations!
Unfortunately, the last few months have been busy ones, (including another "Set-Apart Discipleship Retreat" that I attended and actually filmed in the Ludy's home), and I have had no time to write...much less time to think about writing. But things are finally beginning to settle down again, and this March will be the second time I've been able to contribute to her magazine!
As I've already mentioned, Leslie is a huge champion of Christ centered Biblical femininity...seeking to pull girls out of the pit of the modern "Play-girl" and point them to their true anchor and Love in Jesus Christ. Her last article "Captivating Selflessness" shows what God is truly calling us to be, Set-Apart Selfless women of service, honoring Him! Turning our eyes from the media and the images of the world to focus our eyes on LIVING in the POWER of JESUS CHRIST.
I've been encouraged by Leslie, and I'm honored to be able to stand with her to encourage others...to be truly "Set-Apart Girls" for God! To visit "Set-Apart Girl" go to:
I invite you to check out their ministry and consider attending one of their discipleship retreats. If you do, you're life and walk with God will never be the same again!
And oh yeah, before you're done, don't forget to check out my article in this March issue of "Set-Apart Girl." It's called "Jealous Love"...and it's about a love you don't want to miss!!]
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Hello. And Bye.
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