With a must-read scripture passage for all ladies.
I’m in my 30s, which means I’ve lived through New Kids On The Block, their first go-around, ALF and MC Hammer pants.
I also memorized Vanilla Ice’s lyrics to Ice Ice Baby, although the album was not clean enough for my parents to let me keep. It may be the first gift I ever recall returning.
“Yo, VIP, let’s kick it.”
I can still spit out the words.
One line stayed on my mind today, as the summer heat made me sweat in my high-waisted, knee-length mommy shorts:
“Girls were hot wearing less than bikinis.”
And I remember those days, too.
Those were the “thought I was grown days,” with my short shorts and halter-tied shirts, asking for attention if I could get it.
Isn’t that what so many of us ladies want, have always wanted – to be noticed, to be admired. Yet, by who?
As I watch the boys I get to help raise look up to their Daddy, I am exceedingly grateful that I got his attention. Yet, it wasn’t because of any short shorts that caught his eye.
He says it was my pearls.
You see, ladies, we’ve all got them. Some of us have them safely tucked away in jewelry boxes, some we wear on special occasions or even daily close to our heart.
Some of us have them bent or broken and have had to ask for them to be repaired or replaced.
A few weeks ago, I was reading Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 and came to a passage I knew well and likely you might, too.
Jesus warns about judging others and tells us to be mindful of what blinds us from our own need of mercy and salvation. It’s something we must address before attempting to help influence others.
Then here came verse 6, followed by an Amen and Amen in my heart:
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
Oh girls, how had I missed this one?
Yep, out at the dance clubs in college, I missed this one.
Listening to the wrong music and messages, I missed this one.
All that time I wasted, I missed this one.
So, why does it matter now —
Because you don’t have to miss it, my friends.
My heart receives this passage with 3 points that I believe Jesus makes crystal clear:
1. Beware of dogs. Or stay away from the swagger of swine. Who you are closely associated with or who your heart desires matters. Make sure you are nurtured by those who walk in truth and light, not those who delight in darkness. Do not delight in darkness yourself.
2. You are treasured. Not only do you have jewels, you are one. Proverbs tells us that a virtuous woman (chapter 31) and Godly wisdom itself (chapter 8) are more valuable than gem stones, than rubies. Seek truth daily. Fall in love with Him. We have worth in His craftsmanship and love, something sacred. Do not let anyone tell you or treat you otherwise (especially yourself).
3. It hurts to be broken. Guard yourself. If you give away what is sacred, it will hurt like crazy – that’s a guarantee. God can always restore and repair but being trampled and torn will be torture.
So as we all dress up or dress down for summertime and all that comes with it, let us remember to put on those pearls and take pride.
Not only in ourselves, but in Him who gave them.
Bought with a price,
Mommy
1 Corinthians 6 carries a strong word for those who seek to honor God with our bodies. Paul is clear in communicating that such care will impact our inheritance in the Kingdom of God. As you share this passage with your family or reflect on it yourself, make sure you don’t miss verse 11. In essence, we are all guilty, for we all encounter a sense of greed at some turn in the road for either good things or bad. However, we are told: “That is what some of you were. BUT, you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” No matter the past, you can be given a new present, a new necklace. Just ask. So we can live in thanksgiving today and remember the price our Jesus paid. His love never fails.
Share this:
