While shopping in a clothing store with my mom this weekend, I suddenly became aware of the lyrics to a song (apparently by Hailee Steinfeld) that was blasting through the speakers. The lyrics for what I heard focused on "most girls." The songwriter was encouraging young ladies to be like "most girls" who are smart, beautiful, hard workers, unstoppable, and strong just to name a few.
Now, that part doesn't sound so awful, right? Although, I did find myself wondering what the other kind of girls are like... and why some young women might feel left out or uncomfortable thinking that perhaps they don't fit into this picture. On the other hand, the message seemed harmless. We as a society encourage young ladies to aim towards being smart, strong, beautiful, hard workers, unique, and special. So, since I was intrigued, I decided to look up the rest of the song lyrics later. This is when I realized that the author of the song and myself took different turns in the path.
Basically, the song suggests that anything goes in the feminine world. However you dress is up to you. If you don't like the way you look and change your body, or you want to act in a promiscuous manner, both are ok. Just as long as you are celebrating being you and whatever that looks like, life is great.
Although that may sound freeing, I'd encourage you to think about what truly makes you special and sets you free to grow and achieve in many areas of life. God has created you and set you in this world for a purpose. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 14:2 "You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and He has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be His own special treasure" (NLT). I wonder how a "set-apart" girl acts? God has standards for femininity because we are so special to Him that He does not want to see us get hurt. Of course, He loves you whether you are in heels or sweatpants, but He does call us to be different from "most girls." We are chosen, loved, and created for a purpose. Instead of staying out late to celebrate and waste away our lives, our calling is to live for Christ and intentionally show
other young ladies the unending love and beautiful purpose God has for them. So, the next time you are tempted to settle into being like "most girls," remember that you are set apart as God's girl! His special, beautiful, gifted, chosen, sparkling girl!
Alissa Tanguay is the host of the Carved to Beautify podcast, and enjoys drawing spiritual lessons from everyday life.
Comments