Pastoral Page

Today is Mother's Day. I would like to wish every mother, grandma, paupau, and great grandma a happy Mother's Day. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon you and your family in the years to come.

The Word of God in Proverbs 31:10-31 offers a strikingly modern cameo of a Godly woman of noble character, far from sentimental romanticing or cultural stereotyping. Such a noble woman is distinguished by 4 character traits:

1. Secure (v.11-12, 23) – The noble woman is secure enough to be a helper to her husband as God intended in Genesis 2:18. Only a secure person is strong enough to help others, without having to be dominant and 'in control' all the time.
2. Diligent (vs. 13-19) – The noble woman is diligent. In addition to her traditional role as a home-maker, she develops an unconventional career for herself as a business leader. A diligent person is often a happy person, because one can derive satisfaction from one's achievements.
3. Compassionate (v. 20) – The noble woman is attractive because of her radiant compassion and considerate spirit. Her understanding heart and gentle helpfulness decks her with inward beauty that ranks her far above aggressive and vindictive people. 4. Wise (v. 25-26) – The Word of God defines wise words by the effect they produce. The wise woman builds her house (Proverbs 14:1). The Word of God also reprimanded "a beautiful woman who has no discretion." (Proverbs 11:22) God has entrusted to women the important task of discipleship. The older woman is "to be reverent in the ways they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." (Titus 2:3-5)

The Word of God in 1 Peter 3:3-5A discloses the secret of spiritual beauty: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. This the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful." This is good advice for all people today too.

Love in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Ling