I'm really glad I started going to Covenant Life Church. Seriously, I never use to be excited about going to church or reading the bible, but this church truly makes me happy. I use to think people were lying when they'd put the bible down as one of their favorite books on Facebook, but now I'm one of those people lol!
Covenant Life rotates speakers every week. I like that, it keeps it fresh and interesting to see different pastoring(this prob isn't a word but I'll go with it tee hee) styles. Today's speaker was Josh Harris-my fave speaker thus far. I really needed to hear the message he shared today. But before I share that message with you I want to let you know that Josh's mom has stage 4 cancer in her liver and is in hospice care. He is so strong in his faith and so selfless for taking time out of his grieving to share a message with us and enrich our faith. He is amazing.
OK so today Josh's message was entitled " A Word to Wives" . Don't worry, singles and those dating and even men got something out of this message but he'll focus on the guys next Sun. I had always that thought that 1 Peter 3:1-6 was very offensive to the modern woman, but that's because no one had ever broken it down for me the way Josh did.
SUBMISSION:
-Don't think of submission as weakness or inferiority. We submit to institutions of authority i.e. the law because it would be total chaos if we didn't and because God wants us to; he wants us to have stability in our lives. Can you imagine living in a place where there were no rules and everyone just did as they pleased-it may sound glorious at first but things would go south real quick!
-Submitting to your husband is more about curbing the impulse to fight fire with fire-all that does is create more fire and then...everybody burns-no bueno lol! In any relationship, there are going to be arguments, but someone's gotta give. The bible is suggesting that we as women take the high road and stay humble and pure of heart during those times. Your significant other may not always make the right decisions but putting them down and constantly reminding them of their wrongs doesn't help the situation, encourage them instead.
*(1 Peter 2:11)The impulse to fight fire with fire is an evil one. It's the behavior exhibited by those who have their hope in this world instead of in heaven. Fighting to gain power in this world is unnecessary. This is not our home, we're just passing through, and that power will not go with you...
ADORNMENT:
This passage is not saying to never wear clothes, braid your hair, or wear gold jewelry-if that were the case, we'd all be in trouble lol. It's simply saying not to put your hope in beauty, it shouldn't be your primary concern. Today, women use beauty as a weapon to gain power over men, a higher status(esp. in the entertainment industry), or as a means of getting who or what they want. Instead of doing all this, we should focus on our inner beauty. I know, I know, it's a cliche but one that makes a heck of a lot of sense. Ya see, inner beauty is the only kind that is imperishable, and it's precious to God. Why wouldn't you want to cultivate something within yourself that's precious to God?!?
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Josh's message was one that I really needed to hear.
a)I was one of those women that was always offended by this scripture because I didn't really understand it, now I do.
b)I can be very feisty and argumentative. It was good to be reminded that that kind of behavior doesn't always get you where you want to be and isn't very becoming.
c)Not to sound cocky but I've always thought of myself as someone who has inner beauty and doesn't really need to work on that. Doesn't hurt that people's comments have always validated that ("Christina you're so strong, funny, smart, easy to talk to, I admire your faith etc"). For a really long time I've focused on trying to attain outward beauty. I've heard one too many comments that told me I didn't have it ("You're eating again..you're fat enough as it is" or "I'm glad I'm not the only chunky one in the family"). Having friends and family members that fir our society's beauty stereotypes also doesn't help but what can one do-hit their friends and family with an ugly stick?!? AND being Christian means that you know a butload of people who are currently dating, engaged, married, or married with kids. I honestly think settling down is more rampant in among Christians. Yet here I am, 22 having never been liked, let alone been in a relationship. But hearing this message reminded me that I don't want a guy that's only interested me in my looks anyways. If I gained weight or God forbid, had a accident that disfigured me, that guy would leave me in a NY minute! I don't want or deserve that. And focusing on beauty could decrease my focus on God i.e. I could choose to work out to lose weight instead of going to church or having quiet time(reading the bible/prayer & reflection). If God wants for me to be married, it'll happen. Until then, nothing should be more important to me than growing in my faith as a Godly woman.
I hope you got something out of this wonderful message. Happy 4th of July! Until next time...
