Breaking down Titus 2:4
As a woman living in America, I see two very different messages coming my way. The first message is coming from culture and it tells me to do what I want. Do what makes me happy. Don’t let anything stop me and I can do anything that I desire, I have no limitations if I simply work hard & think positive, I will reach my goals. The other message comes from a lot of my community, reading scripture and the relationship I have with the Holy Spirit and it contradicts all of the above messages. It tells me to let go of myself, to surrender fully to God, that my daily work as a stay at home mom is incredibly valuable, that this world is broken and to understand hardship is part of the brokenness. That giving is better than receiving. And to keep my eyes focused on heavenly endeavors.
So how are we as godly women supposed to walk out these opposing messages in our day to day? How can we live a life set apart for God, yet welcoming and loving to those following the cultural mold? How can we protect our hearts from judging and hardening throughout the years?
It is certainly a hard line to walk and we will not always get it right. However, scripture gives us answers! This week we broke down Titus 2:4 and discussed the instructions that are given to us as women - to love our husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to our husbands. I thank God for His word and instruction that we have from Him! If we can spend time in scripture and prayer everyday, and be in a place of full surrender, then I trust that God will direct our steps and guide us into how He desires us to live our day to day. When we find ourselves coming into confusion about a situation or not sure how to handle something, our role is to be mindful of scripture, re-read verses like these that set the expectations for our behavior, and go to God in prayer for specific instructions and guidance.
The trap that we cannot fall into is knowing what is expected of us, and yet being stubborn. Coming up with excuses why that is too hard for us, or convincing ourselves that we don't have to do what we know to be right. Ladies, if we have an intimate relationship with Jesus, we know all of the above instructions to be true, this will not catch us off guard. So, the question is, are we being obedient or not? Are we choosing to love our husbands through their failures or are we turning our backs on them? Are we being kind to those around us and loving our community or are we refusing to help when we are able? Are we living a pure life and saying no when we should or are we giving into sin?
Ladies, it is time for us who proclaim the name of Jesus to start walking out that proclamation in our everyday life. It is time for us to rejoice in being set apart for the gospel! It is time for us to know who we are in Christ, and refuse to cave to the lies we are being told from culture. To stand firm in our beliefs, convictions and what we know to be true from scripture. It is time for us to shine our light to a dark world!
