You are called to be different...
As women, we cook, clean, wash, mop, feed our kids (if we have any), clothe them, drive them around to their sports practices and events, put them to bed, try to respect our husbands, iron for them, watch movies with our families, work, hang out with girlfriends, and the list could literally go on and on. Right?
Would you agree that any mom, wife, single or career woman can do this?
As Christian women, I want to take a few minutes to talk to you about being different. Set apart. Born-again. Changed. Peculiar. Because you, my dear sister, are no ordinary woman.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” (KJV)
You see, you are a daughter of the Most High God. You are a royal priesthood. You have been called and chosen to come out of this dark world into living in the light and in close relationship with the Father. That means that your routine, marriage, relationships, and actions should look differently than that of the world.
The Holy Spirit revealed this to me years ago in a whisper saying, "You are no ordinary woman." It was such revelation! I knew that I needed to live a changed, different lifestyle. I couldn't respond like the world. I couldn't think like the world. I needed to be different even in my own home and by the way that I treated my family. I needed to treat them with love, patience, and respect, while also personally living according to what James 1:22 states, "But be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." It was a game-changer for me!
I don't know where you are on this topic, but for a few more minutes, I would like to share with you what this type of living could look like for you practically...
As a daughter of the King, it's good to have a personal devotional time with the Lord (the world doesn't have this dedicated time carved out into their day, let alone, their lives). Also, your day, thoughts, actions, conversations, and prayers should be guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. In other words, you shouldn’t just wake up, get dressed, and start your day without even a thought about the Lord. Meaning, don’t just grab your coffee, planner, tablet, phone, hop in the car or open up your laptop in your home office to start your day without God. Non-believers do that. Instead, kick it off with God. Talk to Him. Ask Him to lead you throughout your day. Remember, you are no ordinary woman.
As a Christian fiancé, woman in waiting, or wife, you should be seeking God to be the helpmeet that he needs. You should be praying and asking God to help you to be submissive, loving, supportive, and respectful to Him (not always easy), but with God all things are possible. Amen! However, women who are of this world are not seeking God’s help on this. Instead, many are focused on their needs, how he will help her, what he can do for her, her career, how he needs to respect her, and how much fun they’re going to have instead of doing God’s will together. But you are no ordinary woman.
As a Christian mom, if your kid(s) are young, the difference between you putting your kids to bed and someone who is not in the faith, is that you take time to pray with your kids and talk to them about the Lord and maybe even read Bible stories to them. You bring them to church, Sunday School, and Christian events. The Bible says, “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” (NLT) And if you have teenagers or young adults, then you love them through prayer and the Word of God, and by suggesting the right things to do according to Scripture. Because remember, you are no ordinary woman.
As a Christian woman, you are different. You don’t go to the same places you used to go. You don’t take worldly advice or hang out with sinners (except for the purpose of sharing the gospel or being a light around them). We also don't join in with people who talk about other Christians in a negative way like Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law.” (NLT) Remember, you are no ordinary woman, sis.
For clarity purposes, I’m not saying that we’re better. Not at all. Because we are not perfect. But what I am saying is that we are supposed to be different. We’re supposed to be salt and light to this world as Matthew 5:13-16 tells us. We’re not supposed to be partaking in their sin or living life as the world does. First Peter 2:12 warns us of this saying, “Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.” (NLT)
I hope you’re getting this, my sister. When we live righteously, others around us will benefit from it. But if we are not living the life that God intended for us as believers and from the inside and out (the heart), then how can we genuinely lead anyone else to Christ or into a deeper walk with Him? Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
You are different. And so you have to renew your mind as such. You may be in the world, but you are not of it. So don’t do as the world does. Instead, do God’s will. Always keep in mind that Christianity is a lifestyle…not a title. It’s a relationship…not just another check on the To-Do-List. We were chosen to be different. So let's live like we are no ordinary women.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: How are you living, Sis? Do you feel like you need to make some changes in your life to reflect a life in Christ (set-apart, peculiar, different, etc.)? Let me know. I'd love to hear from you. You can leave a comment or email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com.
UPCOMING EVENT! I'm hosting a virtual women's conference called, "The DIVE Conference." You can watch it right from your home. I would love for you to attend it, Sis! Check out the link here to learn more, the topics, and register...https://www.courtnayerichard.com/diveconference.
Also, discover more resources from my ministry and find out more information about upcoming events and booking me for your next women's conference or event by visiting www.courtnayerichard.com. Let's connect and let me know how this post ministered to you today!
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Courtnaye Richard is the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in their walk with Christ from the heart and equips them to fulfill their God-given purpose. She is also the author of the book, IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ and Moving Forward in Your Purpose. Courtnaye is married with three beautiful children and is a contributing writer for ibelieve.com, Women’s Ministry Tools, speaker of a host of women’s conferences, and her blog reaches thousands of women across the globe. She resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country (outside of Austin, Texas).