Possessing Virtue
Before I start, can I just mention how amazing God is! I have noticed the more I develop my relationship with Christ, the more He orchestrates divine appointments. Even the small things line up! For example, I bought a book not knowing that it parallels the life of Ruth while God already knew that I have been blogging about the life of Ruth! How amazing is that!? Have you ever had even the slightest divine circumstance happen? I am so glad God places little things in my life like that because it opens my eyes to see how big my God actually is.As I was reading Ruth chapter 3, I began to wonder what the Lord would lay on my heart to share about Ruth. As I continued to read, I came across verse 11b which says, "...for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." This is one of the things Boaz says to Ruth after she laid down at his feet. What Boaz says to Ruth is powerful! Put yourself in Ruth's shoes for a moment. Could you imagine someone telling you that the whole (city, church, college, work place, etc.) knows you are a virtuous woman? Ruth must have possessed some virtuous attributes in order for Boaz to say that about her (let alone a whole city!).
Proverbs 31 paints a good picture of what a virtuous woman ought to look like. Verse 10 of Proverbs 31 even says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Every woman should strive to be a woman of virtue not only because they are rare but also because virtuous women please God. The word virtuous means to uphold a high moral standard. In a world that is saturated in immorality, we should be the women who hold high a moral standard that pleases God and encourages men to strive to be godly men of character with their own set of virtue. Although there are many ways to be virtuous, I would like to share eight ways that you can maintain a virtuous lifestyle.
1. Saturate yourself in God's Word. Be a God girl who literally is satisfied in Him alone before you are satisfied in any other relationships. Okay, let's be real because this is what this whole blog is about! Some of my blog posts that are written are areas of my life that I struggle with. One thing that I often struggle with is my Bible reading. It is a day-by-day struggle. Why? Because my carnal flesh does not want to read the Bible, but when I am filled with Christ's Spirit, I love every second of it! I have found when I skip my Bible reading, my soul longs for it. I am spiritually deprived, and my day usually does not go very well. When I do not take time to read my Bible, it becomes a priority issue. I then find I need to reprioritize what I place at the most valued position and that should be Jesus Christ.
2. Shine His love. Once you saturate yourself and are spiritually fed, go shine His love to people. There are so many hurting people out there who are searching for something to fill their void. Often times people try to fill the void with money, sex, drugs, pornography, entertainment, etc. However, what they are missing is the love of Jesus. The only Person who can fill their empty lives. When you radiate for Jesus, others will notice that there is something different about you - that difference being Jesus. Allow Jesus to shine through your life. Not because we are worthy (we are not!) but because Jesus chooses to use us for His kingdom building.
3. Be dependable. Here are four questions to ask yourself. Can people come to you when they are in need of something? Can people come to you if they need advice? Do people come to you with prayer requests knowing that you will actually take time to pray? When you tell someone you are going to do something, can they trust that you will follow through? Try listing other ways you can be dependable.
4. Embrace your beauty. No, I am not saying to fish for compliments, to be vain, or to disregard your health, but what I am saying is that God made you exactly how He wanted you to look. Did you ever think that every time you say you are ugly or think that "you just do not match up," that you are totally and blatantly telling God that He messed up when He created you? I am guilty as charged. But when I think of what I am in essence telling God, it makes me take a step back and realize what I have done. Whatever you do, do not let the world define your beauty and worth. Instead, be confident in the woman God created you to be.
5. Live above reproach. Philippians 2:15 says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Nobody lives a perfect life, but do not give people the opportunity to speak ill of you. One thing I have learned is that it can take years to build your testimony, and it can take five seconds to destroy it. So be careful how you are living because you could very well be the only Bible someone will ever read.
6. Never settle. You heard me. NEVER settle for less than God's best for you! Do not settle for a Bozo when God has a Boaz for you! (You need to read Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendall.She does a wonderful job warning us ladies about the Bozo guys and preparing our hearts for our Boaz).
7. Be productive. Do not be a lazy lady. Be productive! Learn a new hobby, prepare a new meal, strive to be better in your career, in your married life, or even your single life. Keep going! Plus, who would want to date someone who is not active? (Not me anyway!) I like adventures Someone once told me as I am serving God in ministry, He will eventually send me a guy who will serve with me (something to that degree anyway).
8. Lastly, Stay pure! Ladies, this goes beyond the physical aspect of purity. This encompasses your inner thoughts, speech, walk (lifestyle), dress, and the list goes on. Are your words becoming to the soul? Are you uplifting? Are you saving yourself physically for your future husband or are you giving pieces of your heart away where eventually you will have a scrap to give to your husband on your wedding day? There is a reason why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts and out of it are the issues of life. Did you ever think of the consequences your impurity could cost? It could cost a marriage, a child, a disease, etc. Most importantly, you would grieve God's heart. Will He forgive you? Sure He will, but grieving our Holy God is heartbreaking. Plus, if you are holding out for God's best, your boyfriend should NEVER compromise your purity before marriage. Period. Be a mystery. Your boyfriend does not need to know everything about you. Let him get to know you on a deep emotional level not a physical level.
