Becoming a Young Woman of God: Lady Gaga or a Lady of Grace?

Who are we, as young women, striving to become? Who are our role models? In this decade of technological advances, quick-paced activities, busy schedules, and media bombarding us at every turn, I wonder if many of us forget to make time for God. If we truly desire to become like God, how else are we supposed to learn the qualities we need to become a woman who glorifies him? Are we becoming self or world pleasers, or are we making an attempt to please God in everything we do?

What you spend your time doing says a lot about what is important to you. Think about what fills the majority of your thoughts, your days, and your calendar. Of course, there is a time for everything, but are you making enough time for God? When you spend a lot of time with one person, you begin to act like them, talk like them, and pick up some of their character qualities. It is inevitable.

With this in mind, ask yourself, who you most desire to be like? Too often, young women strive to achieve worldly attention. We want to be beautiful like the celebrities are. We want to be famous like the movie stars. And we want to be popular and listened to like the singers on the radio. The problem is what does the heart of these people look like? Are they kind and loving towards those they come in contact with? Are they friendly to their neighbors? Are they women full of grace, extending the same kind of mercy that Jesus shows to all of us? Are they beautiful inside and out, or do they only have outward beauty taken care of?

Are we more in awe of Lady Gaga, with her 12-inch heels, good vocals, and bad behavior, than we are of God, who created this universe and everything in it? Not to mention who sent his son to die for everyone one of us? We often get so caught up with the things of this world and are blinded to how bad they really are. Colossians 3:2 says to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”.

Let me go back to my question about who you desire to most be like. If you are a follower of Christ, your answer should be Jesus. We are to put off our old ways and become a new creation, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17. We are to aspire to put on the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. As Christians we should be overflowing with humility and love towards everyone. We ought to strive everyday to make God proud.

I do not wish to judge Lady Gaga or any other celebrity. My goal is simply to encourage you to take a look at who you want to become and encourage you not to look to imperfect humans as your role models but to Jesus, who alone is perfect. We are to be ladies of grace, not Lady Gaga wannabees, or any other earthly person for that matter.

Originally posted on facebook on February 10, 2011.