For the entire month of June, I procrastinated and deliberated about who I should do my "Christian Girls from History" report on...Mary, maybe? But everyone has heard her story many times. Besides, I'm not what you would call a history buff, so I wasn't too excited to do the research. Obviously, the "deadline" for me to post my article has passed, but the other morning while I was doing Bible study, an idea struck me..why does it have to be a girl from history? There are many young women living in our culture and time period who are excellent role models for us to follow. When I think of being "in the world, not of it" I'm reminded of three young women who have given their lives wholly to Christ and have actually become quite successful!
For the past 3 1/2 years, Rebecca, Alyssa, and Lauren Barlow have been growing quickly popular in Christian teen society. When they started their girl band Barlow Girl after touring around the world as a backup band for their Dad for two years, I imagine they had no idea where they would be today. They have released 5 albums, including Barlow Girl, Another Journal Entry, Another Journal Entry: Expanded Edition, How Can We Be Silent, and Home for Christmas. They are scheduled to release their next album, Love&War in September 2009. In 2005, they were nominated for four Dove Awards and three in 2006. Their songs are played on popular Christian radio stations all over the U.S.A. But do they let their popularity get to their heads?
No. Instead, the girls remember this Bible verse from Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Another unique things about the Barlow girls is that they don't date. They say, "We believe that God has one perfect man already chosen for us; therefore we have no need to worry ourselves in searching for him. When the time is right, we know God will bring us together. In the mean time, we are not hiding in a closet avoiding all males, we are still living our lives, just without the pressure of having to have a boyfriend." While other young women are frantically searching for a boyfriend from whom they can receive love and attention, Rebecca, Alyssa, and Lauren know they are valued in the eyes of God, their Heavenly Father.
Teen girls in our culture are usually pulled slowly into the ways of the world. A sweet, loving thirteen year-old can gradually become a flirty, immodest teen who trusts in her "friends" more than her parents and tries to fill a God-sized hole in her heart with love from friends or attention from boys. Most parents of teens might consider this normal- it's a phase that many teen girls go through. But it is more than a phaze. It is a life choice. The things you do now will definitely effect your future. At this point, I don't have much more to say. The purpose of this blog was to encourage teen girls around the world, but also to get feedback from them! Please give some ideas for how we can "go against the flow" and show our peers where we find true satisfaction- in Jesus Christ! If you want to learn more about Barlow Girl, you can visit their website- www.barlowgirl.com
5 comments:
Since I asked the rest of you to come up with some ideas, I guess I should too....I forgot to mention in my article the the Barlow girls also have made a pledge to dress modestly- something very uncommon in our culture. Are there any low-cut tops or tailored pieces that are perhaps a bit too tight? If you check out the Barlow Girl website, you will see that they dress modestly, but they still have good fashion sense.
I totally agree with the Barlow Girls on not dating. I am not going to. I will wait on the Lord for my husband.
I definitely with you on this, Lady Florimel!
We don't need to go and look for a husband, God has already picked him out and he will bring him into our lives when the time is right.
So many girls go out looking for love, but my mom has shared with me this really cool word picture that has been a blessing to me:
You know how in the Bible Paul says he has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith? Well, we are to run the race of faith too. So we just need to focus on that and the goal ahead of us, instead of searching for a husband. When the time is right, God will send a man with the same goal as you who will run up beside you in the race of faith. Isn't that cool?
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