Check your social media subscription, and most likely you will see a woman influencer whom you follow and admire. Most likely, this lady has the qualities we value and aspire for. Most likely, she is living the same life we are living, or has a lifestyle we aspire for.
While there is nothing wrong with admiring beautiful, successful and fun-loving people, we as followers of Jesus are being asked to look up to the example of Jesus and biblical characters who lived a God-honoring life.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
As mothers and wives, we are being urged to live a Godly lifestyle, consistent with Christian values that promote godliness, and goodness towards others. In His letter to the early church, the Apostle Peter urged women to act as God would have wanted them to.
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,” 1 Peter 3:3-5
The Book of Proverbs also has a popular chapter on the virtuous woman. There, the author of the Book, wrote about the virtuous woman as described to him by his mother. The chapter is very inspiring, and although it holds a really high standard of living, we as women, are all given the fair chance to emulate this kind of lifestyle.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:25-29
We are also given a concrete example on whom to pattern ourselves after — Mary, the mother of Jesus. The woman God chose to bear His own Son. The same woman, who although young and living a simple life, was entrusted to raise the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
Humility is one of the most outstanding character traits of Mary, who centered her life in following the Lord. If we want to follow her example, then we must take her cue in magnifying the Lord in every situation in our life. Yes, make the Lord bigger than our problems. Make the Lord bigger than the challenges that we face. Make the Lord’s presence in our life bigger than our fears and anxieties over uncertain things that we face.
“And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;” Luke 1:46-48
Now if we are far from exemplifying the above-mentioned traits of a godly woman, then we should not lose hope. The Lord has forgiven women who have made poor choices throughout their lives. We hear about the story of the Samaritan Woman who has had five husbands, and is onto her sixth one when she encounters Jesus by the well.
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” John 4:39
The sinful woman in Luke’s Gospel, who came to Jesus and washed His feet using her tears, and dried them with her hair.
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:47-50
The adulterous woman also received the same level of forgiveness and peace when Jesus asked the crowds who wanted to judge her first.
“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11
It is never too late to turn ourselves into a Godly woman. We may not have been born to a family who prioritized God above all else. We may not have been educated in a Christian school, or we may be new in the Christian life, but God welcomes us with open arms. His Son offered His life for our redemption, so that we can shed the guilt we continue to bear because of the wrong choices we made. He came to remove the shame we feel whenever we think of the sinful lifestyle we once lived. He longs to set us free.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
So what are we to do? Well, if we have not surrendered our life to Jesus, then we should do it now by praying and declaring Him as our Lord and Savior. We confess and repent of our sins, and promise to step away from our sinful lifestyle. We then grow our faith by intentionally seeking Him in prayer and bible study, by worshipping Him with other believers, and by following his teaching and commands one day at a time. one life decision at a time.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
When we do this, we are well on our way to become the Godly woman God has called us to be. It will not only benefit us and our souls, we will also be a good example for our children, and every woman and girl we encounter.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Proverbs 31:10-31 and 1 Peter 3:1-6 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you training yourself to become a godly woman? Who is your role model?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the chance to live a God-honoring life. I want to be a godly woman, who walks in your ways, and trains my children into your light. Give me the strength and confidence to tread this path. Amen.
