Another thought is: instead of being interested in the next entertainment activity, making a ‘bee-line’ to friends because you can’t wait to talk about it as soon as church is let out, why not look for a young Mom who is trying to watch little ones while trying to carry on a conversation with another young Mom. We can take the child and play with him/her so the Moms can encourage each other through their conversation. Along the lines playing with the young tots, don’t let them run around the church, or take the infants to all your friends to pass around. It’s not comforting for the mother to not know where her young children are. Instead, play quietly with them within the eye-sight of the mother. These are examples of unselfishness—reaching out to others with a need.
Sometimes churches put up a ‘age division’ and we get the idea that young ladies can only talk to young ladies, senior saints can only talk to each other, etc. but God didn’t make us all the same age! (He could have if He chose to do so!) The Bible says that we as young ladies are to learn from older ladies. (Titus 2:4)
“…but are now the people of God…” 1 Peter 2:10
If we are the people of God, we need to conduct ourselves in everything we do pleasing to Him. This speaks of our speech, dress, and actions, just to name a few. An example of an action in this area is: I do not participate in is sitting with the other teens towards the back of the church, during services. It is sad to see them back there whispering or passing notes back and forth; particularly, if there are visiting unsaved girls and boys. People are watching us, even when we don’t think anyone is watching, and we always need to be setting a good example, and being a testimony for Christ.
Also, my family and I were at a church fellowship one evening, and I looked across the room, and saw young ladies flirting with the boys, and drawing attention to them-selves. She had on the latest style clothing, the bright make-up… That’s not the way God wants us to act. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [the latest style of clothing, loud jewelry, and bright/heavy make-up] but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 —the verse spells it out very clearly, we are to have a meek and quiet spirit. Being God’s people we are to be separate of the world, (1 Cor. 6:17a).
We need to conduct ourselves differently from the worldly girls and set good examples for them. My family has had incidences when people come right out and ask if we are Christians, and what church do you attend. What a perfect golden opportunity to witness for Christ! People can see a difference in us, and they are watching how we conduct ourselves.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims…” 1 Peter 2:11
We are not only “God’s peculiar people”, but we are also pilgrims and strangers living in this land. It makes me think of the old chorus: “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasure’s all laid up, somewhere beyond the blue…” We are pilgrims, meaning that we are just here for a while, and we are not to become too attached to the things that are in this world. I’ve noticed lately that in my area where I live, Christians are becoming attached to this world in the way we dress, the life style we live in, and in the culture around us. Instead of seeing Christians being separate from the world, (Romans 12:2) it is how much of the worldly desires can be incorporated into the individual Christian life and testimony and still be “considered a Christian” in God’s eyes? I am trying to impress that there needs to be a balance between the two. Life is so short, when you think of eternity in heaven. An evangelist who visited our church last week (who I give the credit to for this article’s outline) explained that we are a baby, then a teen, middle-life age, senior-‘saint’, then we are in eternity—eternity is forever! James 4:14: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We are just pilgrims passing through this land. Focus on what is above, and lay up treasures in heaven. (Matt. 6:19-21)
The people around us need to see that we are different. Why? I believe that the answer is found back up in verse 9:
“…that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)
The Lord has saved us from darkness—eternity without Him—into His marvelous Light—we are saved for evermore! By living and acting differently than the world, we are praising Him, and bring honor and glory to His name. A verse we all know by heart is 1 Cor 10:31: “…whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”. We all (myself included) need to strive to be better “God’s peculiar pilgrims” in our daily life.
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