Girltalk Book Club: Week Three

“Scripture…gives us no physical description of Eve.  Her beauty—splendid as it must have been- is never mentioned or even alluded to.  The focus of the biblical account is on Eve’s duty to her Creator and her role alongside her husband.  That is a significant fact, reminding us that the chief distinguishing traits of true feminine excellence are nothing superficial.  Women who are obsessed with image, cosmetics, body shapes, and other external matters have a distorted view of femininity.  We need to go back to Scripture to see what God’s ideal for a woman really is.  And the biblical account of Eve is an excellent reminder of what a woman’s true priorities ought to be.” 

When I read this paragraph, I was struck by this truth: Eve’s beauty was not what gave her value! I tend to accept the “fact” that beauty is important because that is what the culture screams at me from every street corner. But this chapter was a fresh reminder to me that my priority should not be my outward appearance, but rather my God-assigned role as comforter, nurturer and helper.

One young reader, fifteen-year-old Joanna Linn, understands the importance of these priorities. You may remember Joanna’s story, which we shared with you last November. If not, read it now and you will be all the more encouraged by her answer to this week’s question:

How did this chapter influence how you think about your true priorities as a woman?

Being a young teenage girl, my true priorities would not be very different than a saved mother, grandmother, single woman, or any other lady. My true priorities as a girl are first and foremost to honor and glorify God in everything I do. After honoring and glorifying God, my priorities are a little different than some other women. My priorities are to respect and honor my parents, and to be submissive to their leadership. Just as Eve's priorities were to honor God and serve her husband, mine need to be to honor God and serve my parents.

This chapter influenced me to think more about the Lord and my family. I need to be more aware of God and his desires for me at this point in my life. I also need to be aware of my parent's desires for me. Being a young teenage girl, I am still under my parent's instruction and care, and need to be submissive to them just as if the Lord was there telling me what to do. Ultimately, he is the one that I am obeying when I obey my parents. I need to keep God and my family as my true priorities.

Thank you so much for your thoughts, Joanna.  You'll be receiving your very own copy of Twelve Extraordinary Women, personally signed by John MacArthur.

For the rest of you--please keep sending us your answers! Here's next week's question from Chapter Two about Sarah (taken from page 36):

Like Sarah, what "earthly inconvenience" are you experiencing, and how is it "mitigated by the promise of eternal blessing"?

We are eagerly anticipating your responses, and hope you enjoy and benefit from Chapter Two!