Ever noticed a girl who is full of herself? That attitude is really ugly in teen girls who have yet to acquire true wisdom. Yet they make fools of themselves by trying to act like they are something…when they are nothing more than silly, discretion-less females.
You've seen them I'm sure… They enter the room asking to be noticed! They laugh too loud, their body language is brash and screaming for attention and their character is boisterous and anything but quiet and demure. Most of the time, this type of girl lacks attention at home and seeks for it out in public. You don't want to be this kind of girl!
If you are not a saved girl…you are living in flesh dependency and that road leads directly to the kind of girl I just described!
There is historical record of a quiet, humble, sixteen year old girl who was used by God during the Welsh Revival of the early 1900's. This young girl had a God-given ability to glorify Christ, by singing! It is recorded that not much was ever said about her voice except for the fact that each time she sang before Evangelist Evan Roberts would get up to preach, that the Holy Spirit of God seemed to be singing and moving through her submitted, surrendered self. Mr. Roberts said that there was little for him to do as a preacher, after she finished singing. He would quote from the Scriptures and add a few thoughts to it and the people listening were ready to be saved and get right with God.
The reason?
The Spirit of God was on the life of this sixteen year old girl. God used her singing to melt the hearts of the listeners. If she was around today, talent scouts would have her on American Idol, America's Got Talent or some other program that would show her off and make big bucks for her. Perhaps her church would hand her a microphone and allow her to "entertain" her church audience rather than sing in the Spirit…unto her God. All that self-glorification would ruin a girl like this.
I've seen this very story take place in many churches. A young girl has been blessed by God, with a sweet and lovely voice or the talent of playing an instrument. She begins to use it and spiritually minded people begin to help train and open doors of service for her to use that Holy Spirit-given talent.
In the beginning she is sweet and quite humbled about the prospect of even being used in such important work for the Lord. But along the way….something begins to change. She begins to notice the attention given to her voice. She begins to relax in self
dependence and the fear of getting up to sing, is lessened. She begins to feel the need for her service, in the Lord's church….and she begins to think more highly of herself than she ought to. Now, she serves mechanically…like a spiritual robot and believes she is doing God a service. No longer is she using her talent to glorify the Lord. Now…it's all about her!
Where once she was a beautiful example of humility in using her spiritual gifts to glorify her Lord, now it turns to showcasing self. The beauty of humility is gone and her singing no longer speaks to, or prepares hearts for responding to the Word of God.
Her voice is no longer the blessing it once was… This is a sad place to come to.
God can…and wants to use every saved and surrendered sixteen year old girl! He will use you, if you will give yourself wholly and completely to Him. Let Him glorify Himself….through you.
Whether you sing, play an instrument or have the gift of creativity…do it in the right Spirit—for Him alone! Seek no other attention.
I Thessalonians 2:4 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."
Thank you for this encouragement and warning. It's good to be reminded that even though we're young, God can use us too! It's so easy to get caught up in the world's attitudes, but this was refreshing.
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