Reflect the Sun's Light

A few months ago, my dad and I went to a Father-Daughter Retreat hosted by one of our elder's ministries. It was a wonderful time in which we had fun catching up with friends, playing games, and eating good food (the main delight being ice-cream, of course). My highlight though was the teaching that we sat under during the short weekend, which was full of rich and truly beautiful and encouraging sermonettes, one sermon in particular sticking with me as I live day to day.

'Who is she who looks forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Awesome as an army with banners?' Song of Solomon 6:10 NKJV

"Awesome as an army with banners." As young ladies in this world, the mainstream current will target you, because we are the weaker vessels. Now, this is not something to be frustrated at or ashamed by, for that is who God created us to be. We were taken from man's rib, to be protected by him.

"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam: not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved." -- Matthew Henry

Yet, while we are teen girls, we are not protected by our future husband, but instead by our parents and our elders, who are in place to shepherd, lead, and correct us. Learning from our parents and being able to make mistakes while under their care in which we can learn from, will eventually teach us to be discerning, especially more so if we are taught the Word of God and in it daily. And to be able to stand firm in your beliefs, especially when people come at you with accusations or disputes, is to be strong, just like an army. A woman who is equipped with the Holy Word of God, a prayer warrior, one who fears the Lord, and one who is discerning, is a woman of an awesome kind--- awesome as an army with banners.

"Clear as the sun"... clear in your words and beliefs so that all who see the light of the Son shining through you may know without a shadow of a doubt what it is that you are--- a daughter of the Creator of the Universe. To be able to convey your stance on certain topics in a way which no one may be confused as to what you do believe or don't believe. This is what it is to be clear as the sun, which shines through the day without hesitancy or shame, displaying its heat and light fully. The sun does not hide its light, rather shining so that all may see.

' “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." ' Matthew 5:14-16

The moon, in its beauty, reflects the light of the sun, so that the darkness may have light. We are to be as "fair as the moon," reflecting the Son's light and sharing it with those who are in the dark around us. In our manner in which we speak, in the way we dress, in the way we carry ourselves, it should all be a reflection of Christ's love and the wonderful gift He has given us.

"Who is she who looks forth as the morning?" Who is she who looks ahead without fear, always taking the next step? Who is she who does not fear the future, but rather plan for what may come and prepare herself, both mentally, physically, and emotionally? She is the one who is described in this verse. The one who is ready for tomorrow and does not worry. The one who is fair as the moon, reflecting the light of the Son. The one who is clear as the sun, stating what she believes. The one who is awesome as an army with banners, not afraid to stand in the face of opposition.

This is who we should aspire to be as young ladies desiring to glorify God in a dark world.

With much love and prayer,

~Jaycee ♡