For the Girls

This one is for the girls... but men should read this too, to encourage your wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, friends. Dear Sisters, Have you forgotten who you are? Do you not see your infinite worth? Have you gotten so caught up in the rush of life that when you are alone for a few silent moments it feels like a lifetime because all you feel is an empty void, a pang of loneliness, regret, insecurity, worthlessness? Do you crave the approval of mankind so badly to the point that you paint a picture of what they think your life should look like, pose the way they lust for, dress to show off the only things that keep them around? You are worth more than that. What is going to be left after you give all of yourself away to the world and they turn you into another one of their seductive clones? You were created for more. It's time to grow up, ladies. It's time to stop playing dress up and to start being real. It's time to face the facts... The fact that you cannot face this life and make a difference on your own. You need your Heavenly Father. Return, daughters, return to your first love. The One who will be your strength, peace, hope, joy. The One who will never leave you nor forsake you. It's time you place your worth in the gentle yet firm hands of your Creator, rather than the dirty, deceitful hands of mankind. "Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 1:3 (NIV) It's time you give your heart back to the very One who formed you, down to the littlest details, Who sees every single insecurity, Who sees all the self hatred, pain, sinful desires. The One who sees infintely beyond the mask you wear that everyone sees at school, work, church, on the weekend, on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. The One who loves you despite of all the things you try to hide from everyone, despite of your hate towards the way He so patiently, creatively, uniquely knitted you together. "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:13-14 (NIV) Women of God, rise up. You are more than a body. You are more than a pretty face. You are a woman of God, a woman of dignity and grace. You were made for more than makeup, clothes, dating, sex, beauty, men. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

You were created for a divine purpose... for a unique plan from the sovereign Lord. You were made to be an Esther, Mary, Ruth. To rise up out of your everyday ordinary life, to spread God's love, to "proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the captives and release the prisoners from darkness, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor... to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve..." (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV) Wake up from your slumber. Read and STUDY God's word... His love letters to you, His message to feed your spirit. To love Him, you must know Him. To know Him, you must read His word. To spread His love and message of hope and freedom, you must know His word in your heart. Speak and LISTEN to the Lord. Give everything to Him everyday. Tell Him you love Him. Tell Him your struggles, pain, confusion, your concerns, joys, hopes, dreams, frustrations, questions, your everything. And listen. Listen to what He is speaking to you. A conversation is two way, it involves sharing and listening. Praise and worship Him! Not just with music.... with everything. With art, dance, writing, reading, running. At your workplace, school, church, gym, everywhere. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (NIV) Living a life for God means giving it all to Him everyday. It is waking up every morning and saying, "despite of all the mistakes I have made and may make, despite all of my flaws, You can still use me, God. So here is my everyday, I give it all to You, God, trusting that You'll make something beautiful out of me. Trusting that You will use me to do Your will, to be an example of Your love and grace to others." Rise daughters, your time is now. "...And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 (NIV) "And blessed is she who has believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45 (ESV) somewhere out there in the world, Cami G.