What on earth are we doing?
What are we even suppose to be doing?
Can we really know ?
Thankfully, we can! And, that is the reason for A Girl in the Middle
Maturity Takes Time
Titus 2 :3-5
In the same way, older woman are to be:
* reverent in behavior,
*not slanderers,
* not addicted to much wine.
They are to teach what is good so they may encourage the young women to:
* love their husbands
*love their children
*be self-controlled
*be pure
* be homemakers
*be kind
*be submissive {gulp; I see ya!} to their husbands,
WHY?
so that the word of God will not be slandered.
Friends, as Christians we find ourselves living in a world not so different from what Paul saw happening in Crete when he penned this passage in Titus. There was ear -tickling, false doctrine and ungodly teaching abounding. But remember, Paul (Timothy, Titus…) didn’t have God’s Holy Word to hold and read. Paul made the trek with pen in hand and under the leadership of the Lord by guidance of the Holy Spirit to set them straight. We’re wise to take heed. With just a few sentences in Titus 2, Paul gives a wealth of information and instruction. To the older women, godly older women to be sure, the Lord gives the directive to teach the younger women all that He’s laid out here.
Anyone who has known me for while will tell you “spunk” could have been part of my name in years past. Now, I have always been a seeker of truth, and I am always ready to stand up and defend that truth; that’s not bad. My mom tried her best to direct the immaturity she saw in my fierce determination and veraciousness in life. Not until after years of growing would her training, and the Lord’s changing, manifest a more lovingly and meek spirit through me. Ah, if only my younger whipper-snapper self would have known to simmer down. Or even have wanted to! I didn’t. {Pride is a hard nut to crack!} I’ll still stand for God’s Word and His truth, for sure, but He has shown me what is required of me {Micah 6:8 Do Justly, Love Mercy & Walk Humbly with my Lord}. It’s not a mistake, and it is no surprise, the Lord charges the older women with these things. You see, maturity takes time.
Not only do we see who the Lord chooses to use in this feet, designed by God Himself, we see what she is to do: teach. Teach them. It goes without saying but not without noting, if something needs to be taught we can confidently assert there’s something to be learned. And this something comes straight from the Lord. Exciting!
We’re all learning. Our world is sending us its version of womanhood all the time! Next time the computer flashes an ad, the TV is on or you’re near a magazine rack, notice the message: The synonym triplets: prettier, sexier & fitter -the standard of beauty in an unhealthy, unattainable and photoshopped lie. It continues: healthier, richer, calmer, hottest fashion, amazing hair, best makeup, flat abs, hot body secrets, success at the top, better job, more money, new car, date, don’t to date, what your husband should do and not, what to drink, where to eat…the once whispers in our ears have escalated to an audible roar. A dangerous roar permeating from every side..
BUT, God’s truth for women is right here in these verses. Where’s our calling? What’s best for our lives? How can we spend our time and be sure we are following God’s will? What does it take for us to be pleasing to the Lord?
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God is speaking of intentional teaching and with specifics in the standards we women are to align our “successes.” Are we surrounding our selves with holiness? Are we guarding our hearts? Are we learning to live the things God desires of us? Or, are we confused, disorganized, lumbering through life bouncing between moments of our day without any real idea of how to do this life we’re in the midst of just trying to stay afloat? That’s not God’s way. Let’s seek Him and change…let’s become the women God wants us to be right where our circumstances find us today.
To have you here is humbling; life is busy, and we all have our challenges.
Together around the Lord and His word is encouraging.
Thanks for coming and thanks for staying!
I’m excited to be in your company:
Women living faithfully, imperfectly.
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