well, it's recess week this week. and other than having one group meeting, i didn't have anything planned out. (other than the fact that i intended to study tax cos i don't get anything about it and i have a test next week). so, when my cru dgl asked my dg to go for the nus-smu campus crusade women's retreat, i have to admit, i was reluctant.
it would take up 2 whole days and it didn't help that i don't really know the people and most of the people going were from nus. but my dgl really needed help cos since the retreat is held at smu, they would need the smu cards to go around the school, so some smu students would be greatly appreciated. so, rather unwillingly, i decided to attend the retreat (the only reason why i went being that they needed smu students' help).
but well, what can i say. it's probably God at work and that He thought it would be good for me to go. i enjoyed myself at the retreat and heard interesting perspectives about being a godly women - in relationships and how we view ourselves.
the first session was on "The 7 lies that women believe in". When i first saw the title, the first thing that came to my mind was - women believe that they have to be pretty, sexy, have a good figure, able to cook etc. like the typical view society has on women. but what the speaker presented was all based on the bible, and more specifically, based on the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of men. here goes:
Lie 1 You are just a woman.
Sometimes people say, "Why do you bother with so much and study so hard? You're a just a woman." and things to such an effect. But no, women are also made in the image of God. male and female, both are created in God's image. Ephesians 2:10 talks about how we are God's workmanship. we are masterpieces of God, and works are only valuable because of the master, in our case - God.
Lie 2 You are made for man.
We might think that in the creation story, God only made Eve because He wanted a suitable helper for Adam. but the word "helper" used, is actually 'ezer' -- which means fellow warrior (a masculine word). we are fellow warriors with our male counterparts.
Lie 3 I need one more xx to be happy
we think that if only i have one more dress/shoe/boyfriend/5cm, i'll be happy. we are never contented with what we have. we ought to realise that being content is what's most important. being contented is knowing when to stop and draw the line.
Lie 4 If God doesn't want me to have it, why did He ...?
Lie 5 If God is good, why doesn't He ...?
We tend to exaggerate our circumstances and downplay the goodness of God. God has given us many things but yet we pick on that one thing we don't have and ask God why.
Lie 6 What sounds/looks/feels so right can't be wrong
It may feel right, but maybe that's what the evil one is trying to portray to us - which may be a half truth. we need God's wisdom to help us discern what is truly good for ourselves. and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. we are to honour God and revere Him.
Lie 7 It's just one tiny little bite
we think that a small dosage of something will not harm us anyway. like how Eve just took one little bite from the forbidden fruit. you'll know whether or not what you did is wrong by carrying out this test. 1) Shame - cover up. feeling embarrassed after doing whatever it is and you want to cover it up. 2) Guilt - hide from God 3) Blame others
There was a second session on the story of Jacob and Leah and Rachel. I learnt many interesting perspectives and insights but i'm just too lazy to type everything out. But all in all, marriage is a foreshadow of the gospel, of what is to come. Our ever faithful sovereign Creator God is constantly pursuing the unfaithful bride (us humans) He has set His eternal affection upon. This momentary marriage that we have on earth, is a foretaste of the eternal marriage we have, as one body of Christ, with God and is therefore very good, but it will not be truly satisfying. What will truly satisfy us is being restored by God. While having a relationship here on earth is good, but what's more important is our relationship with God,
I don't regret going for the women's retreat. I'm glad that i took time out of my recess week which would otherwise be spent studying taxation, to go for the retreat: Trophy or Treasure. Choosing between whether you want to be a trophy - focused on achievements, outward appearance for everyone to see, or to be a treasure - beauty lies deep within and you have to search in order to find it, beauty that will truly last
so what i got out of it was: trust in God's timing and His plan. I know that God loves me very much, so i ought to place my lives in His hands, give Him the full control. not worrying about when i'll get attached, what job i'll have in the future etc.
till then,
J.
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