Clothed with Strength

"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 

[Proverbs 31:25,30]

Mother Teresa ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying for over 45 years while guiding the founding and expansion of the Missionaries of Charity whose call is to give "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor." 

Elizabeth Elliot's husband was killed by the Auca tribe of Ecuador while trying to make contact with them to minister to the tribe. Nonetheless, she spent two years ministering to this tribe who killed her husband. She was a missionary for years in South America before returning to the states as an author and advocate of Christ and His unconditional love for all people.

Amy Carmichael founded an orphanage in India where she fought to bring Hindu temple children, who were mainly girls being used for prostitution to make money for the priests, into a safe haven where they would be given the opportunity to know Jesus. She would travel long distances to save just one child from prostitution. She is quoted saying, "One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving." 

As I read the amazing life stories of these women who poured out their life for the least of these and died to self in order that they may live for Christ, I am convicted to the core. I am so far away from God's ideal for me. My prayer today is that God may teach me to be more like Jesus. I pray that my heart will break for what breaks the heart of God and that I may live for His glory and His alone. 

Exterior beauty is meaningless if it doesn't come from a heart devoted to Jesus and His Kingdom. These women are beyond beautiful. They are true lilies among thorns and I want to be like them. 

Blessings,