Fashion is a big deal I know. I am a girly girl by nature and I love to be “in style”. You would also find that I’m a shoe and purse fanatic if you had a peek inside my closet. However, we all need to evaluate “Who are we dressing to impress?’ What category would you fall into if you had to pick one of the following: A Pretty Girl, A Flaunting Beauty, or Clothed in Christ. When you pick out your clothes while shopping or getting dressed on a daily basis what are your intentions in choosing what you chose? You want to have good intentions.

So many girls today use their bodies with the wrong intentions. Just consider some of our “pop stars”, it goes without saying that they definitely flaunt their bodies for attention, and mostly the wrong kind. The following examples are ways you don’t want to be guilty of intending to impress: wearing a short skirt to lure that guy you have a crush on to you, Showing off a little too much of your chest for extra attention, you get the picture.

I know it’s fun to be stylish and there is nothing wrong with it, unless you are crossing too far past the line of immodesty. Immodesty is simply, not being properly restrained with your self-expression. Don’t you want to be able to show that you can restrain yourself properly? That you have enough of one of the fruits of the spirit, the fruit of self-control in your life that you can decide to wear a little more length on your skirt, rather than having to tug and pull at one that is a bit too short and catching too many luring eyes. Girls, we should not cause our male counterparts to stumble and we can do so by tempting them with our bodies, tempting them to lust after us. And that my friends, is a sin for us to do so intentionally.

Our intentions should start with a desire to be holy, or set apart for God. The best way for you to decide what your intentions truly are is to take a “heart check”. What are your motives and goals for the way that you are dressing?

Are you:

• trying to look pretty?
• trying to draw attention to yourself or flaunt your beauty?
• trying to lure a guy to you?

You can also do a “modesty check”. Follow the link to the modesty checklist.

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Does the God of the universe care about something as tiny as where you go to college? In a word, yes, God cares about the inner workings of your life. The God who created you in your mother’s womb, putting together your inmost pieces and knows the number of hairs on your head most definitely wants you to make the right decision about your future. That future may or may not include college. College, my friends, though I know your parents may hate me for saying it, may not be for everyone. I know many people who didn’t go to college and are still very well-rounded successful adults.

Now, is college important for some, yes, and it should be something that you think about for quite some time and consider several factors before making a decision. Here are some of the factors I feel are important:

1. Public university versus Private - Being someone who has attended both a public university and a private college, I do know there are some differences and they could make or break your decision and may greatly affect your decision.

Public universities tend to be less costly and often offer more state-scholarships. Public universities however may more often be considered the “party school”.

Private schools tend to be more costly and because of their size often have limited scholarships and financial aid opportunities. However, they are more often known for being either a “Christian school”, “Women’s College” or “Ivy League”. Often known much more for their religion, sex-specific activities, or academics.

For me, at first, I believed that a private college was the right option for me. However, after I got there, I realized I had not taken some other factors into account, including the location of the college. It was 3 hours away from my home, my family and my fiance. To say the least, this is an important factor.

2. Local versus Long Distance - Another factor that may come into play when deciding where to attend college is whether you will go to a local university or one several hours away or even states away from home.

Local colleges often give on the opportunity to live at home and commute thus saving money. While Long distance colleges often require one to live in a dormitory or in an off-campus apartment or house.

Remaining local gives one the security of having your loved ones nearby, while being away may give you the freedom you want as well as the opportunity to meet new people.

Being far way from home was difficult for me, search your heart to see if this might be difficult for you as well. Also, God had other plans in mind for my life. Marriage came early in life for me and God has blessed me immensely and shown me the path he had for me, along the way. (**Note: I’m not saying marriage in college is for everyone either, it is tough.)

3. Four year college versus community college - The differences in a four year university and a community college is simple in a four year college you complete all four years of college there on campus and as a result will receive a Bachelor’s level degree in your chosen major.

On the other hand a community college gives one the opportunity to take 2 years of college before going to a university, one may choose to follow a specific major and receive an Associates Degree in that area of interest or one may choose to just take classes and receive credits that they can later transfer to a university before completing their college career.

Both options can be positive, and again a 4 year college from day one is not always best for everyone. Also, some may choose to only go to a 2 year community college and that be the extent of their college careers. This is a choice each individual must make.

For me, I at first began at a 4 year college, though I thought I was prepared this was a difficult time for me. I only attended the 4 year college the first semester of my freshmen year, transferring to a community college in the Spring of that year to gain more credits before transferring to another university for my Junior and Senior Years.

Now, where does God come into all this? Sure these are all very practical options and choices to make, but does God care which choice I make? Absolutely, God will help you to decide which of each option to choose. God will clearly guide you if you ask him. Remember, God has great plans for your life, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

God also want to give you the “wisdom that passes all understanding”, to help you in your decision. He tells us that if we ask for that wisdom, then we shall receive it. So, begin weighting your options as you approach the time where you will have to make these decisions about college and in doing so, begin to ask God for the wisdom to make the right decisions.

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!