I do not claim to have all the answers, nor do I desire that you look to me as a source of absolute truth and wisdom. Please, look only to Scripture for the knowledge you seek. I simply want to share my thoughts here, a few conclusions I've come to these past few days, so as to possibly be some sort of encouragement or blessing to you, my reader.
"Likewise, also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness - with good works." (emphasis mine)
1 Timothy 2: 9-10
Many of us women are so guilty of not caring in the least how we look. We roll out of bed in the morning, throw on a t-shirt and sweatpants (if we're lucky a pair of jeans), run a brush through our hair and call it good. We don't exercise, we don't eat well, we've given up on being beautiful and laugh at the thought of being respectable. As a result, our hearts have given up on a lot more than just beauty and we are a disgrace to the femininity and dignity God created us to carry.
On the other hand, just as many of us women are guilty of caring too much about how we look. We spend hours getting ready in the morning, changing our clothes five and six times, doing our hair up just right, painting layers and layers of makeup on our already beautiful faces. We obsess about exercise, eating right, and shopping so as to have model figures in all the latest fashions. We've been sucked into the world's sensual definition of beauty, leaving us worn out and discontent.
Both are improper for women who profess godliness.
I believe that within the past hundred years or so, women have forgotten why we dress. Today, we dress for comfort (the "grunge" look), or for attention (the "extravagant" look), or to make a statement (the "trendy/hip" look), or to attract the eyes of men (the "sexy chic" look), etc. But whatever happened to dressing for the sake of respectable beauty?
Women who profess godliness understand that God created women with unmatched beauty and dignity to play a specific role in His story (Gen. 2:18-25). We are life-givers, helpers, servants made to comfort, encourage and edify. Should we not dress in a way that is beautiful, respectable, and complements our created purpose?
I listened to a sermon by Paul Washer recently entitled "Recovering Biblical Womanhood." In it, he stated "that if a woman's clothing is a frame for her face from which the glory of God is to shine, it is proper." He went on to say "there is nothing more attractive than a woman described by the words modesty, discretion, wisdom, beauty, elegance, refinement, dignity, and simplicity." Would these words describe you, my friend? If not, may I offer you a few suggestions?
- Make modesty your #1 priority. Use discretion in the clothing you choose, remembering that you are dressing for the sake of beauty, not sensuality (which are often confused in our culture).
- Take care to look refined. Put some thought into your outfit. Fix your hair nicely, and accent your beautiful face with simple, natural looking makeup if you desire.
- Dress your age. Don't make "cute" or "hip" your goal. Put on clothing that reflects confidence and joy in the years God has given you.
- Stay up to date. This doesn't mean trendy! Take a look at the latest styles, pull aspects of them that are good and beautiful, and creatively incorporate them into your attire.
Have fun, celebrate your beautiful femininity, and adorn yourself with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, and with what is proper for a woman who professes godliness.
No comments:
Post a Comment