Weekly Devotional - Raquel Simmons
This Sunday we took a closer look at what Paul was saying to the church in Corinth. Specifically, we discussed humility and modesty and how we conduct ourselves as believers in the church, as well as the Lord’s supper. In this devotional, I will be focusing on the topic that challenged me to do some self reflection.
1 Peter 3:3-4 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
Pastor Pete put it this way- Modesty: the quality of being unassuming, humble, and moderate in behavior, speech, appearance, or self-assessment. Not drawing attention to oneself through actions, dress, or words.
The Holy Spirit has been gently challenging me and nudging me in my understanding of humility and modesty. I would use neither of those words to describe who I was before accepting Christ. If I’m honest, I still struggle with both humility and modesty. There is this tension within me wanting to receive praise and recognition with even the smallest of feats. Wanting to be noticed and seen by those around me. I often find I am needing to look inwardly to examine my heart and challenge my motives. Am I doing “this” for my own selfish gain and ego? Or am I doing “this” because God wants/is asking me to?
With the battle of ‘outward beauty’ as written in 1 Peter, it is difficult to be in a time period where that is one of the main determinants of your worth. If you are wealthy, attractive, and have the power to influence, the world loves you and recognizes you. If you are poor, ordinary, and quiet, your efforts will most likely will go unnoticed. If we are going to say we trust God, that also means we trust Him with how He created us. Every one of us was created on purpose with a purpose. With a purpose that is unique to each of us. As we go about our days, God will reveal to us what that is. But, we must get out of our own heads. Of course, I am preaching to myself again. Our inner dialogue might sound like, “If only I was as smart as them, looked like them, spoke like them, behaved like them, was wealthy like them, was born into a family like theirs, had the same opportunities as them…” and the list goes on and on. “If only, if only…” But, what God desires is a broken spirit.
“For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” Psalms 51:16-17
He desires a person of humility and modesty with a willingness to surrender every expectation and plan to Him. So, we are faced with a choice. Bow to the unspoken expectations and to our pride, or lean in to God and offer up a broken spirit in modesty and humility. Let’s be the rebels of our time and embrace being the ones who go unnoticed and who are okay with not being praised and recognized. Let us be the believers who invite in the ones who have been labeled ordinary and unworthy. Because we know our good deeds are not done in vain. Because we know Jesus already did this with all of us. God sees us, knows our hearts, and we will be rewarded in Heaven.
-Raquel
1 Peter 3:3-4 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
Pastor Pete put it this way- Modesty: the quality of being unassuming, humble, and moderate in behavior, speech, appearance, or self-assessment. Not drawing attention to oneself through actions, dress, or words.
The Holy Spirit has been gently challenging me and nudging me in my understanding of humility and modesty. I would use neither of those words to describe who I was before accepting Christ. If I’m honest, I still struggle with both humility and modesty. There is this tension within me wanting to receive praise and recognition with even the smallest of feats. Wanting to be noticed and seen by those around me. I often find I am needing to look inwardly to examine my heart and challenge my motives. Am I doing “this” for my own selfish gain and ego? Or am I doing “this” because God wants/is asking me to?
With the battle of ‘outward beauty’ as written in 1 Peter, it is difficult to be in a time period where that is one of the main determinants of your worth. If you are wealthy, attractive, and have the power to influence, the world loves you and recognizes you. If you are poor, ordinary, and quiet, your efforts will most likely will go unnoticed. If we are going to say we trust God, that also means we trust Him with how He created us. Every one of us was created on purpose with a purpose. With a purpose that is unique to each of us. As we go about our days, God will reveal to us what that is. But, we must get out of our own heads. Of course, I am preaching to myself again. Our inner dialogue might sound like, “If only I was as smart as them, looked like them, spoke like them, behaved like them, was wealthy like them, was born into a family like theirs, had the same opportunities as them…” and the list goes on and on. “If only, if only…” But, what God desires is a broken spirit.
“For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” Psalms 51:16-17
He desires a person of humility and modesty with a willingness to surrender every expectation and plan to Him. So, we are faced with a choice. Bow to the unspoken expectations and to our pride, or lean in to God and offer up a broken spirit in modesty and humility. Let’s be the rebels of our time and embrace being the ones who go unnoticed and who are okay with not being praised and recognized. Let us be the believers who invite in the ones who have been labeled ordinary and unworthy. Because we know our good deeds are not done in vain. Because we know Jesus already did this with all of us. God sees us, knows our hearts, and we will be rewarded in Heaven.
-Raquel
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