READY: May 8, 2010

Today's Passage: Genesis 21, NIV
What ladies can learn: Hagar is a Biblical example of a single mom. Though her situation differs from that of today's single moms, we can still learn from her example. You see, God understands that guys can be irresponsible leaders. Abraham not only fathered Hagar's child, sent her away, let her come back, and then sent her away again, but also sent Hagar away with too little water to journey to another town. Even though Abraham was irresponsible, God's plan for Hagar wasn't messed up in the slightest! God realizes that some things can come into a life or a relationship that interfere with marriage. Nevertheless, God is still a loving God who watches over each and every one of us: He's leading us, protecting us, giving us what we need to live (and then some), and giving us a future, no matter what our marital status. Yes, let's try to live by God's original plans (unless God speaks to you otherwise)--but if things happen to disrupt our hopes or dreams, let's trust that God has something better in store.

Highlighted characteristic of God: God watches over every person, and He can provide for us.
In two words: God sees.

Highlighted characteristic for us: Take a look at Hagar's life. She lives as a slave, toiling away in the ancient world as a nobody. She has a baby by Abraham at Sarah's request (she must feel pretty used). Sarah gets jealous and sends Hagar away. When Hagar returns, she lives as Sarah's slave for a few more years...and gets sent away again, this time by her son's father Abraham. Enslaved. Used. Rejected...twice. Ouch.

Sometimes, we may feel that we're used the same way by our peers. Maybe we aren't enslaved, and maybe we don't go through the extremes Hagar experienced, but we can be used and rejected all the same. When that happens, we can know that God is still watching over us and that He still has a perfect plan for us.
In three words: God's our friend.

What's this blog about?

Hi girls,
I started this blog for Christian girls who are trying to establish a balance between being culturally relevant and Biblically obedient. I want to follow Christ in all I do, which means following 1 Timothy 2:7-8 ("In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us").

In the same line of thinking, however, I believe the Bible does not call us to be completely isolated from the culture:

• In Acts 10:13, Jesus tells Peter to "Kill and eat," just like the Romans in Peter's culture did. This became a witnessing tool.
• Romans 14:20 NIV: "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." I don't think this verse applies to food alone.
• 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (emphasis mine)

The culture is trying to make girls look like men in the way they dress. They're trying to make girls act like men in the way they act. Nevertheless, God created men and women with equal but different roles, roles that are each beautiful in their own way. In this culture, we must find what it means to be a real, modern, feminine girl.
Besides, what would the world do without women? ;)
Questions for discussion:

• What do you think it means to be "culturally relevant"? Where do you draw the line between cultural connection and feminine living?
• What are the patterns in your life right now? Are you more feminine or more feminist? What are you doing to follow God? What are you doing that is cultural?
• Do you have any suggestions? (blog topics you'd like to see, ideas on how to be feminine yet relevant, etc).