Our entire self - reflects the image of God. We are reflections of God's glory. We will never be totally like God because he is our supreme Creator. But we do have the ability to reflect His character in our love, patience, foregiveness, kindness and faithfulness, compassion.
Knowing that we are made in God's image and thus sharing many of His characteristics -provides a solid basis for self-worth.
Human worth is not based on possessions, achievements, physical attraction, or public acclaim. Instead it is based on being made in God's image. Because we bear God's image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing and down grading ourselves is criticizing what God has made and the abilities He has given us. Knowing that you are a person of worth helps you love God, know Him personally, and make you a valuable contribution to those around you.
Let us reflect a moment on what it means to be a "valuable contribution" to those around you! Here are some questions to ask yourself - What am I doing with my God given life that contributes to helping others around me? Do I focus so much on buying clothes, purses, shoes, accessories that I have no money left to give to someone in need? Do I spend a lot of time fidgeting about what I am going to wear , how my hair looks - that I do not have enough time in my day to be a help to society or people who need help? Is all my time and energy wrapped up in my self image? And most importantly have I allowed my outward image to become my self identity?
Do any of these things reflect the image of God? Did the poor woman buy herself a new dress or did she give her last two coins to Gods kingdom? How many dresses or shoes are in your closet not being worn - when there are children in the world that get diseases from cuts in their feet from walking around in filth because they do not own one pair? How much money do we spend on makeup - when there are children whose faces are distorted from disease - that people cannot look upon them without concern! What was Christ wearing when He died on the cross - did He look fashionable -wearing the latest trend? or do His bloody stripes and ripped flesh remind us today that He died so that we may have life today and life beyond this earthly life?
God does not want us to feel condemned because we make poor choices about reflecting our true character with all the world adornes and buys. But He wants us to know who we really are! He wants us to reflect what He is - Goodness, love, compassion, a giver not a taker. God is always giving, always loving, always helping, always there for us. Woman are wonderful givers! If we decide to give to the right causes - we really can make a difference in the world. When we put all our giving into ourselves - we only help ourselves.
Its time to rise up as a virtuos woman - and unrobe yourselves of all the wordly fashions and all the pressures you put upon yourself that tells you that your self worth is based upon your looks and what you own. Its time to clean out the closets cluttered with unused items. I believe that if everyone lived in a state of giving and did not go overboard on their spending - there would not be one homeless person or one child in hunger on this earth!
Focus on what God created - this is the real you! Reveal to others that you are filled with compassion, that you are a giver. God only creates beauty - you are Gods shining beauty! You are a woman of God - you stand strong - you were created by a God that wears a crown and a robe of righteousness and rules this entire world and all kingdoms that He created - He gave you a crown to wear - you are His princess - His daughter - be it!
