Go here to read part one.
Our Relationships
Everyday we associate with people–all different kinds of people. People who are happy, hurting, lost, saved, confused, searching, careless… You might simply be acquaintances with them, or maybe they’re your closest friends. You are affecting them, but they are also affecting you. Having a relationship with someone shouldn’t be thought of as a small thing. Whether it’s a family bond or a friendship you have in mind right now, that person isn’t “just” someone you hang out with. They have a soul, and we who are Christians have a responsibility to let Christ shine through us (Phil. 2:15b) every time we’re with that person!
We know we should also choose wisely who we continually associate ourselves with. Let’s read some Scriptures about the subject:
- “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov. 13:20)
- “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”” (I Cor. 15:33)
- “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26)
After reading these eye-opening verses from God‘s word, should we ever think relationships are small things?
Our Actions
This is probably the one we need to think on the most. We’ve all heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words”—and truly, they do. When someone says, “Sure, I’ll be there!” but they never show up, how does that make us feel? When we are saved, and call ourselves “Christians,” but we don’t talk about God, never stop to think about helping others, and put the focus on “what I want” …how does that make God feel? What is that saying to our Father?
What do you consider a “small” action? Holding the door open for the woman with children in her arms? Picking up a piece of garbage and putting it in the trash can? Telling a visitor at worship services that you are glad they could be there and hope to see them again? Ladies, we all see these things—opportunities, rather—that need to be seized; how often do we take responsibility and do them? Even though sometimes we look at ourselves and think, Oh, I’m young and busy, I’ll let one of the older women take care of that, we have some of the most powerful influence at this time in our lives! Please realize that. Whether they tell you or not, people notice when you take the time to do little things. Your peers will see there is a different spirit in you than in the world. And why do we do good things in the first place? To glorify God. (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12b) Out of love, to show others that we are His. (John 13:35) That we are meek servants of Christ, and here to serve. Our actions, however small we may consider them, have a huge impact on the world for our Savior!
Our Dress
I know this is a touchy topic for a large population of women out there, but it is definitely not a “small” part of representing God, and we need to deeply consider it. I want to ask you to please answer yourself honestly about this: Do you want people’s attention solely for your body and outer appearance, or do you want people’s attention because they see you’re different from the world—with your attitude, words, relationships, and actions—and that you desire to glorify God and reflect Him to them?
Sometimes we feel accused when we hear women speak at ladies’ days or other activities on “modesty.” We think, No one should tell me how to dress; it’s not a big deal! Do you know why we feel this way?
1.We are not fully submitting to God and His will for us: “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,” (1 Timothy 2:9); “…not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13b)
2.We know what is appropriate, and feel guilty when we make the wrong decisions with our dress. (see James 4:17)
Please think on this: when you see a woman who is outwardly very beautiful, but isn’t covering enough of her body, or else dressed too tightly…what do you think of her? Many of us can’t deny that we often go into grandmother-mind mode: What kind of mother would let her daughter out of the house dressed like that? I can’t believe this girl! Does she not realize those guys are staring at her body?! How often do we instead pray for this generation, and set a good example for them by our clothing choices? Way too often we want to fit in and look like all the other women and be accepted for the way we look. But, we need to choose today who we want acceptance from: the world or God. We can’t serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24) Choosing to represent God in the way we dress is not a “small” thing, and let us consider it that way no longer!
Our Task
Helen Keller once wrote, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.” Ladies, let’s allow God’s word to pierce our hearts to know that all these things we look at as “small” are great because He is working in them! We should earnestly take on any “small task” for the glory of our Lord. When we truly think of how everything we do is making an impact for Him, we see it’s certainly nothing small. Let us think in the way that Paul was confident of the Philippians: “…He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 1:6b). Remember, we don’t know all of God’s plans, but He is doing great things through all of our “small” efforts every day. What an honor!
By Hannah Smith
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