Oh how I sung this song with pride in the 1980s!
Just give me a hairbrush, a mirror, the radio cranked to high volume, and I was center stage!
Nowadays, this title isn’t trendy for the devout Christian woman. The last thing I want to be thought of as a woman of God is ‘a material girl.’
But, just as in high school and junior high, the desire for nice things doesn’t go away, even if it is replaced by less expensive things.
I recently was flipping through the channels and a title on television caught my eye. Oprah had a two-episode special on hoarders.
On the program, two adult children confronted their mother about her hoarding of possessions. Video cameras went throughout the 3,000 sq. ft home that was filled top to bottom with everything – clothes, shoes, knick-knacks, televisions. When all was said and done, the television crew threw away 75 tons of garbage, had a garage sale that took up 10,000 sq. ft of warehouse space, and donated hundreds of items to charity.
Earlier this year, I had set my own goals to clear our basement. We still had boxes packed from moving home fall of 2008. After this episode, I couldn’t sit still. I got up at midnight and cleared my bedroom closet!
I realized that anyone can amass a great amount of material possessions.
Anyone. You, me, the neighbor next door.
The deeper issue revealed that the woman was trying to fill a void in her life with….things.
As women, we all need to be filled.
But the bible shares what we should be filled with.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” 1 Peter 5:8
Throughout my years, there have been times when I have forgotten to fill up on the Spirit of God.
Through one challenge or another, I have, at times, taken my eyes off of Christ and felt empty.
I have even given way to worry.
But Jesus encourages:
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:28-33
Seek first His kingdom.
All these things….clothes, food, shelter, life…will given to me.
It’s not a fair phrase….it’s His promise.
He will meet my every need.
He will fill every void.
He will give me an inexpressible and glorious joy in my life.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
I must have faith and continue to believe Him.
Material Girl? It may be trendy pop-culture song, but this title does not define me.
I have “better and lasting possessions.” Hebrews 10:34
I have His Holy Spirit living in me. I have a new heart and a new mind. I have an inexpressible and glorious joy.
I have Christ.
So do you.
