About a week ago, I was having a conversation with some friends about how some of the girls around here haven't exactly been dressing appropriately. The fact came up, that all of us have had missed opportunities to stand up for what is right by confronting girls we have seen about this. One of my friends mentioned how some guy friends of hers commented how they just began avoiding certain girls, because they were appalled by the girls lack of modesty. The very next day in my Biblical Womanhood class, we discussed the topic of modesty and clothing. I began to be very burdened for the for the missed opportunities that had arisen, and purposed to take action the next time an opportunity arose. Sadly, I almost let that opportunity pass.
Today in one of my classes, God pricked my heart to speak to a girl about her inappropriate dress. I am sad to say that I seriously tried to convince myself that 'Someone else will approach her.' I immediately was ashamed at myself, if I'm not going to step up and take responsibility, why should I expect someone else to. All through class I was praying that God would help me know what to say, and that I would say it lovingly. After class, I did approach her and pull her aside and explain about her clothing, and as she walked away I determined that what she did was between her & God. I had done my part by doing what was right and confronting her about it. This afternoon I actually had the most amazing conversation with my RA, and we were talking about how our lack of modesty in our dress, not only affects our brothers purity and thought life, it also affects our own relationship with God. It got me thinking, and it actually is a simple thing that is REALLY COMPLICATED!!! LOL It really, comes down to simply loving others. If you truly love God, you will keep his 2 commandments to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor. If you are truly loving your neighbor, you will not be doing something that will cause them to stumble. If you (women particularly) are dressing inappropriately, you ARE causing others to stumble, whether you realize it or not!!
I was actually doing some reading for Biblical Womanhood not long ago this evening, and came across some really need sections that I want to share with you all. The book I'm reading is called By Design by Susan Hunt. I found it on Amazon really cheap, and you can get it for Kindle too!!! Anyway, I'm in Chapter 7 and we are reading about how woman should be a helper/supporter to their husbands/churches.
"There is an interesting verse in Psalm 144; '...our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace (Psalm 144:12)
A Pillar, according to the dictionary, is 'a...support; one who occupies a central or responsible position.' Some of the meanings of the root Hebrew word that is used here are: to attend, to defend, to give stability, to join. The ideas of protection and support are clear in this imagery.
In summary, a helper supports by protecting, sustaining, upholding, refreshing, attending, defending, and stabilizing."
This fit so perfectly with what I have been burdened with in regards to modest dress. Not only are we to be loving others by the way we dress, but we need to dress in a way that is going to protect our Christian & Non-christian brothers from sin. It really helps me to think about my 3 older brothers, of whom 2 are married. I don't always do this, regretfully. But when I think about it, I examine what I am wearing and think about myself as someone else, How would I feel if my brother approached me in the store? Would I be appalled at myself, and ashamed that my brother would have to look the other way to keep from falling into sinful thoughts. Or would my dress be modest, in a way that would cause him to pass by without thought?
Another part of this Chapter has a really good quote too:
"The great need of the hour is women of substance who will rise above the shallowness of self-centeredness and support their husbands [or brothers in Christ], women of courage who will take the risk to do the right thing even when it is the hard thing in order to protect...women of noble character who will love...Biblically even when it is difficult."
I am determined, with much prayer and asking for wisdom to do the right thing, to be a woman of courage and take the risk to protect my brothers!!! How about you?
I hope this post has been encouraging to you, to step up and do the right thing. God will ALWAYS give you the strength to stand up and fight for what is right!!!
Love to my brothers & sisters in Christ,
Jenn
No comments:
Post a Comment