The Total Gift of Who You Are

I had lunch with Sarah Flashing a while back. She’s sort of a cultural watchdog as Director of The Center for Women of Faith in Culture. She shares my concern for females in 2012 that are being led to believe media lies about what will bring true happiness in life. I rarely see TV and movies motivating and equipping young women to live meaningful, satisfying and holy lives.

I emphasize holy – we don’t hear the word used much nowadays. Growing up I desired to be holy – perhaps it was reading the lives of the saints that inspired me. Now it seems girls and guys, too, focus on being popular and clever, more than questing for qualities like holiness and goodness.

I’m putting on my counseling cape to sound a warning. I’ve seen the tears and devastation when young men and women didn’t get genuine wisdom soon enough. Both sexes are bombarded with role models who disregard a holy lifestyle.

Careful grooming, laughter, dancing and dreaming, special friendships with guys/gals are all great. BUT what’s with this sex-texting and male/female friendship with “benefits” which diminishes both the giver and the receiver – sex outside the special bond of marital commitment is physical, emotional and spiritual dynamite. Run from it!

Developing one’s gifts and growing in holiness – how delightful is that! Many saints were far from prudes, but they had their goals clearly defined and reflected them in their behavior and attitudes.

Perhaps we older women can invite conversations with the young women we know about personal dignity and emotional tranquility along with compassion. Let’s discuss what’s to be lost by disregarding inner beauty and forgetting the sacredness of the total personhood God endowed in each man and woman.

A longing to please and honor God is truly a worthy priority. Holiness is made of such. Holy and being whole go together.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

Please comment and share your ideas for encouraging holiness among men and women of all ages in our society. Young guys and gals, how do you guard the total gift of who you are?

A Woman’s Guide: 52 Ways To Choose Happiness & Fulfillment contains practical principles for living a joyful, God-honoring life with specific Scriptures and applications. Available at Christianbooks.com.