Ok, I absolutely intended to have other posts between this week’s Titus Tuesdays post and last week’s… Ah, the best laid plans. I hope (stress that word… HOPE) to do better this week in the number-of-posts department.
In the meantime, it is time for another Titus Tuesdays post!
(for a little more about ‘Titus Tuesdays‘ – be sure to click the link)
This week, we are studying about Encouragement.
Sounds simple enough, right? But what I love about the book we’re reading (‘A Woman’s High Calling‘ by Elizabeth George) is that there is so much depth brought to each subject, and I am given an all new perspective on a topic I thought I knew quite a bit about.
One of the first quotes to jump out at me, regarding this topic was this:
“We tend to think of encouragement as meaning to build up or cheer up another person so that they feel better. However, God’s word for encouragement means training, disciplining, and helping other by helping them to be sober-minded…so that they live better.” ‘A Woman’s High Calling’ ~Elizabeth George~ Wow.That definition certainly goes a little farther than giving someone a quick “pep talk,” doesn’t it?
I actually found this to be a little convicting. While it is nice to try to cheer someone up by giving them a gift, or a little pep talk, or something similar – it can be a little simple. It doesn’t always require a lot of effort on my part. What does require a lot of effort is investing in someone continually and helping them grow and learn. Not only does that require time from me, but it also requires me to be vulnerable and take a risk by opening myself up to another person.
Frankly, that can be a little scary. (especially when you tend to be a ‘people pleaser’ like yours truly)
But, as Mrs. George points out… “that’s a high calling…with a great purpose!”
So, how do we do it?
“We can teach by personal example and by precept. By walk and by talk. Both informally and formally. In other words, we are to first master God’s principles and precepts personally and live them out before others. Then we are to pass them on by instruction and by wise counsel.” ‘A Woman’s High Calling’ ~Elizabeth George~Obviously, it’s not just enough to say it. If we’re not living what we’re trying to teach, we’re not going to make the impact that we hope to. As Mrs. George points out, “You cannot impart what you do not possess.”
Wow (again).
Anyone else feeling that little twinge of conviction? I know I am!
We can’t teach and encourage other women to be who God wants them to be unless we are first being all God wants us to be! To help give us some guidance, Mrs. George lists the 10 essentials for godly living that are found in Titus 2:3-5.
We are to be…
- Dignified
- Not malicious gossips
- Temperate and self-controlled
- Teachers of good things
- Lovers of our husbands
- Lovers of our children
- Discreet
- Chaste
- Lovers of our homes
- Good
So… anybody get to check off all 10 of those are “already mastered”? Yeah… not me.
Of course, it’s not about being perfect.
We will never be that.
But it is about constantly seeking God and continually trying to grow more in your relationship with Him. It is about striving to be the woman God has intended you to be… and then helping others do the same.
Bottom line: Every facet of our lives should be influenced by our faith… by our God.
“A woman who desires to live a godly life spends her life immersed in godly things and in doing good things.” ‘A Woman’s High Calling’ ~Elizabeth George~So today I challenge you to evaluate where you are on the path to being the woman God has called you to be.
For me, I know I need to better guard my daily quiet time with God (too often I put other things on my “list” above it) and I certainly need to work on being more self-controlled (finding that patience when my kiddos are pushing me over the edge).
How about you?
What are you working on as you strive to be the woman (or man) God has called you to be?
very good and insightful post!