The perfection of God's Instructions

There are many instructions in the word of God. His commands are numerous and all given for our own good and benefit. I trust in the Creator of the universe to love me and instruct me in the ways that are going to grant me a peaceful and prosperous life.

Deuteronomy 4:40 says,"If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time."

I believe this and I believe God. But I must admit that I was never so sure of how perfect God's ways are until I studied more deeply an instruction given solely to women in Titus 2: 3-5. This is a familiar set of verses that has perplexed me for some time. Of course I am all ears when I see God talking directly to women in the scriptures. I want to be a useful Christian woman and I want to do the work God has asked uniquely of me. Let me explain.

Titus 2: 3-5

"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."

Ok, I am a woman. I am older both in years and in the faith. I am to be truthful and kind. I can understand that. But then the scripture tells me to train the younger women in their marriage, in their parenting, in their working, in their housekeeping, and even in their relationship to their husband. This is where I failed to understand my role. I can encourage other younger women to love their husbands and families but really, what does that mean in specifics? I can not come into another woman's life and tell her how to be a wife, how to parent her children, or how to manage her home. The truth is that there are many different ways to work a marriage relationship and various ways to parent children that are all God fearing and God honoring. So, who am I to tell another just how to do that? But the Bible calls me to "train" the younger women in these areas. For years I wanted to obey this mandate of God to me as an older christian women, but had no clue what it meant. Until recently!!!!!

The key is in the word "train". This word can be translated "encourage", "urge", or "teach". But it wasn't until I dove into the original language that this passage was written in that I began to understand clearly. In the greek, the word here is "sophronizo". First of all, this word is only used in this one place in the Bible. So I can confidently say that this is a mandate uniquely for women. It is not a job that men can accomplish. It is ours, alone. That is cool!

But the meaning blew me away. Sophronizo in Titus 2:4 means to live as God defines true balance. To transform someone to be radically balanced. This radical moderation requires a complete perspective that is eclectic, to look at something from all angles and then align with the divine. To help obtain "Divine Balance".

After grasping this, no-one can ever convince me that God is not perfect, or that His instructions are not perfect. Take time to chew on this. As an older and more mature christian woman, I am to help the younger women, not by entering their lives and telling them how to live. I am to come along side them and help them to live.

As women, we were created to be emotional creatures who can easily empathize and feel for others. It is what makes us great nurturers. But our brains are wired with the ability to think of many things at the same time. It is often difficult to turn off our brains and then we have a greater chance to easily get off balanced in our thinking. Our minds can spiral out of control sometimes and prevent us from seeing the obvious. A mentor who understands the chaos women sometimes feel can be indispensable in helping to settle a swirling mind. My role is to first say, "calm down". It is to offer suggestions and different perspectives and help my young friend obtain a settled state of mind. And who doesn't need some of that from time to time. The mentor of Titus 2: 3-5 knows how to council by gently helping others to think rationally and consider all areas of her situation so to come to a beautifully balanced perspective that is God honoring as well as practical for her entire family.

And that, my friends, I can do. God knows we can do that. He created our minds and He is aware of all that we juggle as women. He knows us so well and even instructed us on how to help each other honor the word of God. This perfect instruction in Titus 2:3-5 demonstrates just how amazing God is in His omniscient power.

My encouragement to the women in the Body of Christ is to embrace this most important role and be there for each other. Young women are craving an authentic, confident and loving community of

Christ followers who honor HIs word to be mentors for them. They want to be encouraged with the positive message that being a Christian wife, mother and friend is a valuable and most important role in the Church and influences the world greatly for the Kingdom of Christ. I am more convinced than ever that this role of mentor is of utmost importance.

Maybe you are at the age where you are mentoring your daughters. Great! That is right where you are meant to be. Maybe you have the time to run a girls group to encourage the next generation to know Jesus. Maybe your children are grown and you can help with child care to give a frustrated and tired mom a break. At the very least you can be the positive voice that lifts high the value of the Christian wife and mother. You do not have to look far to see needs in this area everywhere.

I marvel at our God and how He so perfectly created women and then perfectly instructed us on how to live together in harmony and peace. He desires only for our good! He wants us to enjoy His divine balance in our lives and tells us just how to get it. We are fools not to obey his instructions. Praise be to our perfect God!