TITUS 2:3-5 KING JAMES VERSION
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I have been blessed with friendships of women older than me who have gently guided me in the right direction. Of the nine ‘aged women’ I know six have graduated from earth to eternity, that leaves three. As I grieved the loss of these valuable friendships I have become aware that I am now the older woman that Titus 2 speaks of. I compared myself to those women, my mentors, my examples, and discovered that I fell short of their final position as women of God.
Thankfully, I still have three women of God speaking into my life, my god-mother, a 98 year old woman whom I will just refer to as The Elder Woman and a Pastor friend. Through these women I understand- wisdom comes with time, experience and a personal knowledge of God’s word.
There are many “older” women who have yet to realize that they are the “aged women” that Titus chapter 2 verses three through five speaks of. Currently, their conversations and behavior are no different than that of the younger women. To many of these older woman, today, profess to be a Christian yet they choose not to be an example of how a Christian woman should live: “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness…”.
Most Christians do not know how to live Christ-like despite the thousands of churches all over the world. Personally, I struggle trying to find a balance between living in the world and knowing I belong to the Kingdom of God. I empathize with the women of today particularly after my divorce, thankfully, I have aged women who behave in a godly manner and serve as my godly examples.
Many people look for “mentors” in all the wrong places. Attracted by what is seen, what is thought as a desire, and what others have, people look up to individuals who have the greatest presence, mostly celebrities or celebrity like individuals.
Christians, follow what they perceive as “the anointing”, various Bible speakers who draw large crowds and are popular within the preaching circuit circle. Christians place much confidence in the words of these individuals but BUT Scripture teaches we our behavior is to be the example. The Bible is clear that His word, God’s Word, will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11) not man’s words. We accept popular opinions as to how we should behave.
Believers in God’s word are to be living sacrifices, not giving to the world’s standards but walking boldly knowing that the world may reject us but God will accept us. (Romans 12:1-2). Our words reflect what we really believe, it is written: Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). If we are speaking our faith we will live our faith.
Dr. Alveda King is a woman of God, in my opinion. I don’t know her personally but I have watched her demeanor over the years on various news programs. I know the things that she supports and though I will not say I agree with everything she says I cannot say I disagree with anything she has said. What I admire the most about Dr. King is her gentle spirit that is reflected whenever she speaks. She really is someone people have to listen to and that makes her a powerful influencer. I consider her a Titus 2 woman.
We have never met, she does not know I admire her, she does not need to know. Titus women are examples because they live a godly life not because they have a 501c3 declaring they are godly! My personal examples, those 3 women I spoke of earlier, know that I love them but made know declaration of being my “mentor”. What I have discovered: most younger women watch.
I did not know how closely others were watching me until I divorced my husband. Although I was not disrespectful to him, it was clear that my now ex-husband and I were not in a “godly” marriage. When I divorced him, there were questions from many individuals: Why did you stay so long? How could you put up with him? Why didn’t you …”, many questions letting me know that people had been watching me over the years. It was clear by all who observed my behavior: I did everything I could to save my marriage. I believe in the end God released me from what was a bondage and not a relationship because my flesh was reaching a point in which I wanted to seek my own vengeance. Before I reached a point in which I would be so angry that I did not care if I sinned God gave me a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13) “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” I AM NOT PERFECT, no one is, but I take this mantle of being a Titus woman very seriously.
As we begin to explore what it means to be a woman of God, a Tutus 2 woman, BE WARNED: I will not be politically correct, gender sensitive, or adhere to any restrictive teaching guidelines that I may have been taught. I have no intention of sugar coating the conversation; the words I use will probably offend many. As I pray I am confident that I will be lead by the Spirit of God as I begin this on-line conversation to women about women.
Dear sisters let’s talk. Marsha L Floyd #Nettieology
No comments:
Post a Comment