The Beauty in Modesty

MODESTY IS BEAUTIFUL!

To me,Modesty is a LOVE THING-It's way deeper than clothes. It is allowing God's glory to shine through ME~without making myself an object of attraction.It means that I love my brothers so much that I don't want them to lose focus-but for them to be drawn to God.It also means I realise my worth and I fully understand I'm not an ornament to be looked upon and I will by no means try to do so.It also reminds me that I'm a steward(of my body and clothes) .I realise that God loves me so much that He wants to be part of every little aspect of my life-even how I dress and even if it means letting go. It means that I've fixed my eyes on Jesus to the extent that I've lost sight of myself-that is to say~I no longer want to make an entrance yet I want His presence to shine through.Modesty also means when people look at me,they shouldn't be drawn to my clothes BUT by something within AND because my body is the temple of GOD-I realise the Holy Spirit has to dwell inside me.I also realise that I should dress appropriately not putting my health in danger.

Love thing?Yes,it means that:I love God so much and my brothers and others so much I don't want to be a stumbling block.When the love of God dwells within then even the outside will reveal this.See,God says "love thy neighbour as you love yourself" For me this means:not to do anything that will cost the other person eternity.Come to think of it,I used to wear mini-dresses and my reasoning was:I look sexy.Yet,as I went to study about males and females:I learnt that males are visual beings.They are stimulated by sight and that's how God created them.But take note:to be stimulated by their wives within the marriage context.Seeing that sin has entered,those emotions are easily triggered.Jesus defines adultery as "looking lustfully at a woman" See,there must be certain parts exposed to make one lust:thighs,boobs,and apparently legs too.Now ask yourself this question:Do you want your brothers to continually fall into sin when they look at you?Don't you want them to have victory over sin?Cover up :).Also,I don't want people to feel "less attractive" because of all that I wear.How?See,often I've heard people say:"I can't go to your church you dress up" Yes and No:God's blessings beautify us on sabbath and it's also because I choose to buy a dress for church rather than jeans...TRUE in the sense that I've found that some use church as catwalk-display is all they are there for such that they've become fashion trend setters.See,when we buy clothes:let's be careful to not make others feel as if they have to reach to our standard or feel pressured(But ofcourse it goes both ways).

See, the fashion world or rather media has robbed us into thinking that NUDE is Beautiful.Yet God says otherwise.Isn't interesting that the Bible symbolises "purity/righteousness" by white garments.My interest is on the garment itself.This refers to the character ,that is,being holy YET the outward appearance is also crucial.See,people cannot read our hearts THUS the way we dress shows what's happening inside us and what we profess.

Looking to Christ as a role-model,in all things He pleased His father.He lways said "If it is your will,let it be done." How much thought do you put into your clothes?Do you also say "May your will be done"~See,God loves mankind and wants everyone to be saved.How then,will dressing up in such a way that will draw attention to you,Make the world know about God?

See,it all started in the garden of eden-that's when Eve lost sight of who God was(is) and sought to be a god herself.So it is with us.We want to be "SEEN" yet at the same time we want people to know we christians.They say "First impressions last" and that is true.You can only dress in 2 ways:To testify about God or to remove the picture of God.How? Well,imagine if you're wearing a vest that is showing off your cleavage/tight muscle top and you approach this individual:The first thing they'll see are those parts without even trying hard:How then do you expect the individual to think about God?

I've come to realise that,when girls hear about modesty:They think "unattractive"~that's not the case at all.Modesty simply means "beautiful,without showing off" Every time you seek to wear for compliments,that's still being immodest.God and God alone should be seen.Yes,modesty means beautiful~that which God looks upon and smile.Looking at God's nature-flowers in this context-you only see beauty.That's the same God who wants you to dress modestly,so that when people look at you they may see Him.

Also Jesus said he has come that we have life in abundance. For me that simply means He has come that we may have life & that also means putting health principles in practise(Because he's the same God that says "thou shalt not kill").Tight clothing disrupts the circulation of the blood and in women:this is known to cause sterility(ofcourse the duration is directly proportional to the effect) and in men too.Thus it advisable to wear loose fitting clothes:Comfortability instead of being sexy.

Also an interesting point from Deautoronomy 22:5"A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this." and Malachi 3:6 goes on to say “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." I couldn't argue against God.If God never liked trousers on women then,why would He now?Finally it hit me-clothing was also used to differentiate males from females.
Thought worth pondering upon:How many lesbians would feel comfortable to dress like males,if every women wore a skirt/dress?

Steward-By that I mean: I'm accountable for my body and how I treat it~"so whether you drink or eat or whatever you do,do it for the glory of God." Again, "let your light shine before all men,in order they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in heaven" See,holiness has little to do with church,it's all about "what you do"..."good works".Being modest means you'll not neglect feeding the poor and ministering to others-as Jesus did.So you won't spenD too much time and your money on clothing.

AND FINALLY:

" Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight"-1Peter3:3-4

Just an introduction and I will expand on this :).

EDUCATION VERSUS DOMESTIC TRAINING.

In my family education is valued and so my dad taught me how to write and how the clock functions before I even went to creche.From a young age he taught me computer literacy-although I must admit I forgot some things.My mom always encouraged us to study and she always tried to help when she could and same with my dad.It came to a point that my mom would excuse me if I had school work although I was expected to perform house chores.As I grew up,I and my twin brother became competitive and this served as an encouragement for good performance at school and we were among the top 3 students who did well at school.Also one of the contrubiting factors was the fact that we came from a poor background and at times we were belittled or looked down upon; so being among the excelling students meant that we were respected.

In grade5 I went to attend an SDA primary school and the workload increased.Thus,I was always doing homework or studying as I still wanted to be the top student and well this happened.As I excelled more on my school work I started to neglect some of my house duties,and because my mom valued education she would let me.I enjoyed cleaning and this I did with joy-because I'm a neat freak.Being in a dirty house only meant I wouldn't be able to study BUT sadly I shunned few crucial duties:cooking and sewing.I also made excuses.I'll always help with vegetable preparations and all that BUT I never offered to cook.Infact I was proud of this.I even boasted that I was doing well and education is crucial and I had concluded I won't get married so I didn't need to cook.In matric I went on to stay with my granny who went on to encourage this lifestyle.The only thing I learnt cooking thoroughly is "umphokoqo"-african salad as my dad offered to teach me,including few basic things.

See,what I missed was that one does not learn to cook to become a wife BUT so that s/he may lend a hand to the mother/father when preparing the meals and to relieve the mother.Not only that but to lessen the chores.This not only blinded me but I never even for once care about whether my mom was tired or what(selfishness).And because I'm a perfectionist-I concluded one must be able to cook overnight and I became dissapointed when I didn't cook as well as I wanted.I even developed a phobia for this.And what made it worse is the fact that my twin cooks with ease so I felt more discouraged especially considering the fact that he's guy-NOTE:as a christian it is a duty for every guy to learn and be able to cook BUT more especially of the female,as explained in PROVERBS 31. We are the home keepers.And not only for that but we need to learn to cook for our health-fast food is unhealthy and carries many chronic diseases thus when one has the skill to cook you avoid such.


As I started to learn what was expected of me as a young women:I realised I have a duty to be a servant of God and a daughter to my parents.Jesus was once a child and he helped with his duties.Infact looking at David we learn that he herded the sheep and goats and we learn a priciple here:children were expected to do their chores and in these they learnt great lessons.By this I mean it was through this that David learnt to trust God (lion and bear incidents) and was molded for being a King.Thus house duties are not a waste of time,we learn to be patient,humbe and have peace of mind etc.

It's only now that I realise for me,being a woman not only constitutes success BUT it constitutes being able to learn how to take care of the home so that I can be a blessing to my family and to the society at large.The gospel does not only include preaching but includes feeding the hungry.Scenario:If a homeless hungry person comes asking for food while I have uncooked food,would it be right to say I have no food?No!That's why I need the skill.See,it goes deeper than marriage.

I'm looking forward to learning how to cook(healthy food ofcourse) so that I can serve my parents and be the daughter I was created to be.See we live in a world that encourages having an education and social status while it makes it less attractive to be a cook,to be a home keeper.And I'd like to believe somehow that's why many marriages get broken-We,as women,do not know our homely duties.

HERE'S A STAMENT THAT MADE IT SO CLEAR THAT I NEED TO GET DOMESTICAL AS WELL:
Many ladies, accounted well-educated, having graduated with honors at some institution of learning, are shamefully ignorant of the practical duties of life. They are destitute of the qualifications necessary for the proper regulation of family, and hence essential to its happiness. They may talk of woman’s elevated sphere and of her rights, yet they themselves fall far below the true sphere of woman. The idea that ignorance of useful employment is an essential characteristic of the true gentleman or lady is contrary to the design of God in the creation of man. Idleness is a sin, and ignorance of common duties is the result of folly, which afterlife will give ample occasion to bitterly regret.Young women think that it is menial to cook and do other kinds of housework; and, for this reason, many girls who marry and have the care of families have little idea of the duties devolving upon a wife and mother .It is the right of every daughter of Eve to have a thorough knowledge of household duties, to receive training in every department of domestic labor. Every young lady should be so educated that if called to fill the position of wife and mother, she may preside as a queen in her own domain. She should be fully competent to guide and instruct her children and to direct her servants, or, if need be, to minister with her own hands to the wants of her household. It is her right to understand the mechanism of the human body and the principles of hygiene, the matters of diet and dress, labor and recreation, and countless others that intimately concern the well-being of her household. It is her right to obtain such a knowledge of the best methods of treating disease that she can care for her children in sickness, instead of leaving her precious treasures in the hands of stranger nurses and physicians.It should be a law that young people should not get married unless they know how to care for the children that are brought into their family. They must know how to take care of this house that God has given them. Unless they understand in regard to the laws which God has established in their system, they cannot understand their duty to their God or themselves."-Adventist Home,page 87-88.

I hope to expand more on the subject and include my journey on cooking :)!

Lesson form The first chapter of Job

Job kept God’s LAW (Exodus 20:3-17) AND Deuteronomy 28 was fulfilled.

Job was blessed and was great because of his conduct and based on His relationship with God. Ellen G. White writes and says our success depends on how we work for the Lord. I’d like to believe that Job was a good sermon and the people who surrounded him came to know God. But we find Job doing something interesting: 0ffering sacrifices on behalf of his children: This teaches us that righteousness does not depend on those that surround you but it is determined with your connection to God.

It is evident that satan is the one who is behind all the bad things that happen to Job and likewise to us. But take note that the choices you make also can result in such (Painful results).it is also made clear that God is not responsible for anyone’s death but He allows Stan to do so(or rather He has the last say in everyone’s life). Not convinced? Stephen was stoned by people influenced by the Devil but God did not save Stephen. But we know with faithfulness ETERNAL LIFE is guaranteed!

We also learn that from the beginning Job acknowledged that all his wealth was from God and not by his might and wisdom. Do we acknowledge God for our achievements? And as we go along we find an interesting point, which fits in well with “THE STATE OF THE DEAD”. He says he came naked, he will die naked-we don’t hear him talking about heaven. Thus, when you die you go underground.

Another point: after all these calamities in one day (death of his children, flock, servants) He still does not curse God…he never uttered “Why me God?” What do you do when faced with painful situations: Do u murmur? We are told Jesus never murmured instead he was like a sheep ready to be slain.

What about the servants who carried the report? I believe God preserved their lives so that they could testify of His goodness amid such distress. This serves as a reminder : When all the other girls fall pregnant and you don’t: u have nothing to boast about BUT to praise .When you pass while others fail: it is not your wisdom but God’s HELP. Yes, u studied BUT still GOD DESERVES PRAISE BECAUSE Satan’s angels were roaming around trying to distract you. All in All when the light shines on our side, WE ONLY HAVE to PRAISE God and proclaim His goodness.

Also an interesting FACT: We see Satan bring fire from Heaven. It shows that Satan has powers and in Matthew 24:24 WE ARE WARNED AGAINST SUCH. Even Revelation 13:12-13 talks about the beast that could perform miracles. This calls for spiritual discernment and Study of the Word as satan is roaming around seeking whom he may devour and if it were possible even the elect.

.

DISTURBED :(

The Bible warns us over and over again to be vigilant and to gird our loins.When the Bible repeats something,that serves as a warning or it is of great value.See,we can not deny the fact that the devil is cunning and as a result of that we can't even afford to be careless for even one moment.It's important to always question everything we do and we should know the motive behind it.

Why?Check the statement below and hopefully that will answer you :)

Note the public boast of Mary Quant, the inventor of the miniskirt. This fashion designer declared that her creation was for the purpose of making sex (illicit) more available in the afternoon. In an interview she was asked what kind of person today's woman wants to be, and she answered, "A sexual creature. She displays her sexuality instead of this coy business of hiding it. Today she dresses to say, 'I am sexy. I like men. I enjoy life.'" Then she made this bold statement: "Mini-clothes are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man."

HONOURING OUR PARENTS :)

Growing up,I always loved my parents.But as I reached teenagehood I suffered from terrible mood swings.I had developed a habit of grumbling when my mother would ask me to do more than one task.I was aware that I had to help but in mind I had concluded she could do all the duties herself and what's worse,she could ask my twin brother to help her.

But as I grew older,God started to make it clear to me that I was not honouring my mother nor was I treating her in love.As I started to do some of her duties,like:washing the dishes,cleaning the house,dusting etc,I realised how strong she was and how tired she got.And as I'm becoming a woman,I'm starting to learn what it really means to honour your parent.

Doing your duties is part of honouring them BUT also your attitude is crucial.Often,when our parents ask us to do certain tasks,we frown BUT do we ever take a moment to think what they've done for us?Do we also realise that they're human and get tired?It is only now that I realise how precious parents(and generally every old adult) are and how much they sacrifice for us.

Now,I'm focused on being a good daughter because I realise that is my duty.They've done their duty of being good parents and they're still doing so and the least I can do is honour them.This means,I'll try as much to make my parent's lives worthwhile(receiving stregnth from God).This means I'll be careful to always be respectful towards my parents and to always approach them in a humble tone.This also means I'll seek their counsel and I'll consult them pertaining to any path that I want to take,even if this is uncomfortable because they know best.I also realise that they are humans and they do make mistakes,but this does not give me the right to disrespect them or even make fun of their mistakes BUT instead,I should point the things I don't like in a humble manner.This also means,when I've wronged my parents,I ask for forgiveness.

Often,we think:our parents don't want us to be happy BUT you realise all they want is for us to have a brighter future and eternity.Also,it is important that we realise,this command also highlights in practicality our relationship with God.It is impossible to love God,yet dishonour our parents.And it's important to note that the only time,we can safely "dishonour" our parents,is when they expect us to dishonour God because He is the one that deserves our ultimate respect.

Also,you will realise,as the youth we are privileged to have educational opportunities.We should ask God to give us humble hearts so that as we acquire our education,we don't think we are better than them BUT we should seek to make their lives better.And when they don't understand some things:we should be patient with them and never make them inferior.It's also crucial to remember not only are we to take care of them but we should make time for them.It's quite sad that often as girls,or young women,we want to rush and get married when we should first learn how to take care of our parents and take care of our homes.

Honouring our parents means we form strong bonds where we can be a blessing to each other.Where we can bring our prayer requests to each other and help each other heavenward.The home becomes a happy home where angels dwell.And not only so,neighbours can testify of the LOVE that reigns and they are drawn to the Source of Love-God.Also an important note to those who have non-christian parents:For them it's more than crucial,as this may be the only chance to show what christianity is in practical terms.

I now realise Jesus was once a child too and it was through his ability to respect his parents that He learnt the value of Honouring His Father.

Let us cherish our parents and forever treat them as jewels!This is practical christianity.And let us remember to practice this principle to every adult irregardless of their social standard.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.-Exodus 20:12
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a]-Ephesians 6:1-3

HEART RELIGION

I thank God for the privilege of being born into an adventist family :)!Yet,at times this can blind you of what's expected of you.At times,if pride is not thrown away,you may find yourself bragging about this privilege.What I realised is, for me christianity was an outward form and about maintaining a standard so that when people looked at me they could say "you are a good girl",and well they did.I was always concerned about what people will say,instead of,how will God feel?I became so full of self so much that I came to a point of thinking "man,I'm holy".My criteria of holiness was a comparison of others with myself.I never understood that its a heart thing,whereby love for God motivates every decision.

For me,love was absent.I thought I loved,BUT I discovered my love didn't match God's description,but I felt I couldn't do much about it.I trusted too much of self,that I believed I could love without being connected to God-but I was met with failure and dissapointment.I tried to ask for help from God but I'd always run before him.I ended up compromising some principles because I lost sight of my duty to God.

It's only now that I understand,I am feeble and weak.I realise now that it's all waste to "appear" to be christian when the heart is not changed.And often,I'm aware of my shortcomings.Now,it is my daily prayer that God's LOVE may dwell in my heart:that I may be loving at all times and put others before me.I realise NOW I have a duty to God,to LOVE,before seeking to proclaim the gospel-because it's a gospel of LOVE.

Now,I realise,I'd rather be immodest than be unloving,I'd rather be a drunkard than be unkind.I realise,it's better to be sinner that's caring than an uncaring adventist(but ofcourse all good things come from God).It is only now that I realise OUTWARD SHOW is all in vain,if the HEART is not changed.And that's why it's easy to judge others.NOW,I am aware of my need: a Heart Like Jesus' so that I can always say words of kindness,show kindness and deny myself at all costs.THE GOSPEL is more of WHAT we do DO,than what we SAY and my prayer is:May I speak and do what God regards as good rather than what I think is good.It's a struggle,a DAILY struggle,BUT the Word of God tells me "what is impossible with man,is possible with God"-Luke 18:27.And I'm confident that He's able to change my heart and cleanse me from all unrighteousness and present me as white as snow.

I realise,without love(unconditional) for God,all is in vain!And,when we are not connected to the source of LIGHT,it's impossible to do much.You'll sometimes wonder:"why am I selfish?","why am I not evangelising?" but I realise it's all about your relationship with God.And I've learnt we should never feel confident in ourselves,NOT EVEN ONCE.

Few Lessons from the life of Elijah,the Prophet of God

The Christian journey is a journey of discovery.It's not a monotonous journey but a fulfilling journey when you put your trust on God and stay connected with Him.Prayer and the study of God's word amongst other things really help you to grow as a Christian and what's more:you learn to trust in God and as you learn to trust in Him,you slowly begin to love His Will.I've been feasting on the Book of 1st Kings,specifically Chapter 17 and I've really learnt beautiful lessons that I can't keep to myself. The relationship between Elijah and God is really beautiful. First we see Elijah being fed by ravens(a type of a bird):For me this is a reminder that God seeks what's best for us.Our needs concern Him and He knows them before we even ask .Also I've learnt that God is not LIMITED,as we sometimes make HIM TO BE and He is not dependant on us BUT He loves us to make us part of His mission,that is,the salvation of mankind.But back to my point,we see God using a bird to feed a human.He COULD'VE SENT SOMEONE OVER but He chose this.God uses any agent to accomplish His mission.And for me,this makes me wonder:Shouldn't I,a SINNER saved by grace,avail MYSELF for doing good for others and spreading the gospel?I've faced moments where idleness has influenced my decisions,But THIS motivates me to turn my life around and serve God with all that I have and with love and with zeal. The second lesson:is between the widow and Elijah.I realise,no matter how little you have,let it be a blessing.God has never AND WILL NEVER be a God of quantity.We see this principle applied more than once in the Bible.The flour and oil were enough for the widow and her son YET God asks this widow to share it with Elijah and at the end she has more than enough-"Little is much when God is in it".Initially we see the widow reluctant and the question is,Do we sometimes withold what God has blessed us with,forgetting that He was the One who put it in our hands in the first place? After doing what God asked,she had food all the days of her life:we learn a lesson,God always provides when at times,we least expect it.We should also bring hope to others by sharing with them all God has bestowed on us. Still,on the same story,when the son of the widow dies:How quickly of her to forget what God has done.Do we,also,have spiritual amnesia?Do we tend to forget how God has led us,when all seems to fail?Do we measure God's goodness by lack of trials?Let's ponder on these questions :).Again,God comes through for her.Elijah prays earnestly to God,asking him to bring the son back to life:A reminder that LIFE COMES FROM God.I like how Elijah trusted God so much that He was the first option.Is God the first option when we are sick,discouraged etc?Or do we seek human wisdom and aid?And when all this fails come back to HIM? I'm also moved by how Elijah called on God when there was drought,not trusting on Himself or trying to advertise himself,BUT SHOWING HOW GREAT God is.Do we believe,because we want others to exclaim how great we are?Or do we believe so that God's glory may be revealed?Do we do good to receive praise or is it our gratitude to God? GOD'S WORD ALWAYS BRINGS COMFORT TO THE SOUL

My First Entry

I must admit:I feel humbled and in awe as I'm writing this :).I've lways loved and still love writing and having my own blog means I'll do what I love as much as I want and hopefully many will benefit from it.I've always enjoyed spelling and I've always had confidence in what I write,but me being conservative made me not trust too much of my own judgement.But when I was in grade12 my English Teacher suggested I become a writer.And well,I guess that's what I'm doing.It's a gift from God and I'm good in my own way.But before I bore you about my love for writing let me include the other reasons behind my motivation.The thought that God has Blessed us with many opportunies really struck me the past weeks and I realise facebook is not really enough for me to express myself well and its time consuming.And as I was thinking of how I could reach across in other social ways,I came across a blog of a lady that I really like.I met her on facebook and I usually ask her questions concerning matters of faith that I do not understand.So,when I came across her blog I was really inspired :).I also came across Mia's blog,titled:Aspiring Homemaker and instantly I was struck.I realsed that,even if we are miles apart,we can still reach out to people and inspire them to love God.To think that I only decided to create this blog today excites me and none of my friends know :).Although,I've decided to announce it on facebook.I hope I'll be a blessing and all that I write will bring glory to God's name,whether directly or indirectly.I also hope I'll use this for Him only and not to draw attention to my myself but lead you to His Word.I also would like to share my spiritual journey with you.I've learnt a lot of lessons this year and I'm constantly learning. It would be nice to share my experiences with you so that YOU can find courage from them and learn more about yourselves.I guess I'll be spending much of my study breaks here(hopefully)and learn more about blogger and how to make my blog more interesting and interactive. A blessed week to you all :) Debut:P-M Servant of God