Modesty (Duh Duh Duhhhh)

If you’re a young woman who has attended a Christian school, there are two words that can make you shudder: Dress code. Ahh yes, the teachers questioning your spiritual welfare because your collarbone is showing and is that two centimeters of unclad thigh I see? 
Don’t misunderstand, I believe that dress codes are well founded, but there is one argument for modesty that I hear over and over that makes me cringe.
“You don’t want to cause your Christian brothers to stumble.”
I firmly disagree that women should dress modestly for their "Christian brothers." Our "brothers" have millions of naked women at their fingertips when they log onto the Internet. If they want to see something, they will see it, regardless of what I wear. I know that sounds like I’m justifying wearing whatever I want, but it’s quite the opposite.
Plus, it makes boys sound like mere animals. I don’t really think that any teenage boy sees a girl’s collarbone and thinks, “Wow a collarbone! I’ve never see one of those before. Man, I have to have her.” Can we give them a little more credit, please? 
The Bible instructs women to dress with "decency and propriety.” However, modest dress in this passage has nothing to do with how much is covered. That's not what the apostle Paul meant-he was referring to how expensive the clothing was. In other words, it’s indecent to spend $300 on a sweater (I’m looking at you J Crew). 
Romans 13:14 states, "Rather, clothe yourselves with Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." Biblical modesty is more than necklines and hemlines-it's where your heart is aligned. It is putting off every vanity and mirroring the humility of Christ. Therefore I will make every effort to be modest, but not for boys. I will be modest because my Lord commanded it.

We Are Fleeting

What is the best feeling that you have ever had?

Is it that little somersault in your abdomen when you go down a roller coaster? Is it sinking your mouth into a mountain of whipped cream on a steaming cup of hot cocoa? Is it the warmth of the sun shining on your face?

The best feeling that I ever experience is smallness.

Feeling infinitely little. Tiny. Infinitesimal. 

It is in that state of wonder that I can see how big the world is. I am just one of billions of people to walk on a spinning blue marble suspended in space. Every word that comes out of my mouth has been said before. There is nothing I will face that millions of other people haven't faced.

It is so easy for me to see my problems as huge, my lack of time being the chief of those. I just want to do what I love-reading, writing and, let's be honest, sleeping-but how can I when I have so many responsibilities? 

This weekend at Barakel reminded me of my smallness. The snow fell in soft cotton tufts and settled on huge Pine trees. The sky was clear. The lake was completely frozen over, so my family and I walked across. What is so special about this? 

Nature is a reminder that we are finite. I thought about how many people have walked under those trees and enjoyed winter on the lake. We are a breath. Our lives are so fleeting, one day gracing the earth like fluffy sheets of snow and the next day melting into oblivion. The problems that I face are minuscule when placed in the light of forever.

Nature is a reminder that there is an infinite Creator who holds all of us in His hands. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28).

Jesus lifts my burdens. When I feel infinitely small and fleeting, I can marvel at how magnificent and eternal my God is. Thank you Lord Jesus for lifting the cares of my heart and giving me yours. 

Charles Spurgeon gave this benediction when preaching on Matt. 11:28:

"Jesus gives rest. It is so. Will you believe it? Will you put it to the test? Will you do so at once? Come to Jesus by quitting every other hope, by thinking of him, believing God's testimony about him, and trusting everything with him. If you thus come to him, the rest which He will give you will be deep, safe, holy, and everlasting."