across from me, a newly married couple meets with a well-dressed young business man, perhaps over insurance or realty or business deals. they aren't friends because the couple is explaining their background.
a few older gentlemen gather in the corner, regulars in this busy lunch spot. (i know because i've talked to one of them at least once before). they laugh and converse before heading back to their laptops and hot tea.
vandy girls in their oversized t-shirts and athletic shorts come in small droves. mommy-daughter dates seem to reign supreme as most the aisles are blocked by heavy-duty strollers. the lady next to me is dressed to the nines and looking prim and proper, as she quietly eats her meal and surveys what it is i keep looking around and then typing about. pre-teens looking older than i do, tall and tan and silky hair, with a much better sense of fashion than i had at their age, tote their iphones around with pride. i've noticed i'm far too over-dressed in comparison to the amount of summer skin i see, with a three-quarter length maxi dress (navy and white striped, of course); which apparently isn't as unseasonal as i suspect, because my bones are freezing to death.
i am intrigued by the different people that walk past. at different points in their life, age and stage. some, gym-bound; others, already dressed for friday night. a few months ago i posted a blog about what Christians should wear (metaphorically speaking, of course. to date, i'm not aware of any order of the orthodox church on what not to wear... although, i could imagine adding a few things to my own personal list).
this week in my beth moore study at TVC (so long, insecurity!), we talked about the woman of noble character mentioned in Proverbs 31. there is no doubt that if you are a woman of God, you know who i am talking about.
as i read through about this woman of noble character, i see some things that reflect my heart, and some things that i don't fit very well in, especially that whole up-before-the-sun thing. i'm encouraged and discouraged in one fell swoop, but i'd like to at least think that i am growing in the direction of looking more like the woman described in these passages. at our study, specifically, we talked about how she is "clothed with strength and dignity," in verse 25.
contrary to my last posts about the fruits we wear, being clothed is quite different than "putting on" clothing. the way it is stated in scripture, "she is clothed..." sort of has the connotation that it is a comfortable covering. its warm, inviting, worn with honor. it's not by her own doing that she has strength and dignity; however, it is a gift from God. we also read a supporting verse from hebrews 2:7 in which details how God created man a little lower than the angels, with dominion over the created earth, and He "crowned them with glory and honor."
did you know that God sees you worthy of honor and glory? that He is the one that chose to give you strength and dignity? the same God that knows your heart and your past and your faults and your failures, is the one that deemed you dignified. that is how He sees you, beloved! He doesn't want you to walk daily in your shame or guilt. He doesn't want you to stand meek behind a veil, hiding your insecurities. He wants you to stand confident in Him, in what He sees in you.
you may only make it through a few verses of the Proverbs 31 woman before you decide that is not what you look like ... yet. but rest assured, if nothing else, that God has crowned you His princess, His bride. that as a Christian, you can walk dignified, with His strength. do not buy into the lies that you don't have it all together so you are not worthy. that you're not pretty enough, successful enough, strong enough on your own for you to be seen precious in God's eyes. don't even for a second think that because you don't see yourself in the images described in Proverbs 31 that you should't have dignity. don't think that even because you have felt judged or been judged, even by a believer or the church as a whole, that you can not stand tall with dignity wrapped around you. and don't for a second let the devil make you believe that your mistakes and sins and even the most terrible thing that you have ever done could or even should rip your dignity away from you! no! let God restore you! stand tall, His precious one! that is the beauty of Grace! do not wear guilt and shame that only further perpetuate your insecurities! wear His strength and your God-given dignity like a badge of honor. don't just put it on, be clothed in it.
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