MOTIVATE

Whether you’re driving down a highway, or scrolling the internet, there are certain signs that grab your attention. They cause you to pause and discern if this is something worthy for you to continue looking or buying.

The narratives of the Bible do this too.

Jesus is walking through a town or city but He stops to interact with females. This was radical, in a day and age that men often undervalued the roles of women and treated them disrespectfully. But what makes Jesus, and Christianity, unique is that Jesus demands our attention by who He spends the most time. Jesus gathered disciples and followers from those whom the world least expected.

So, today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we are reminded that our faith draws attention to all women:

• Those holding their infant child
• Those letting go of their grown teenager and sending them off to college or careers
• Those who are celebrating the blessings of fullness
• Those grieving emptiness, and needing reminded of hope
• Those in love and others whose source of contentment is from the beloved above

In all, we look to Scripture to reflect on how God draws our attention to celebrate those made in His image.

EXAMINE     Song of Songs 6:10

ESV: “Who is this who looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?”

The Message: “Has anyone ever seen anything like this: dawn-fresh, moon-lovely, sun-radiant, ravishing as the night sky with its galaxy of stars?”

“Who is this…” is an introduction and call of attention to the woman

• Generations ago when a woman walked into a room all the men in the room would stand up to acknowledge her presence.
• Such is the case with Solomon, who is awed by this woman.

The appearance of the woman is how God designed her to be viewed and valued among men.

• “looks like the dawn/morning”
  Solomon views his bride as the dawn – the first light of the day; when she rises she catches his eyes.

• “beautiful as the moon”
   Solomon describes his bride as beautiful and bold as a shining moon in the dark sky.

• “bright as the sun”
  Solomon describes his bride as being bright and pure as the sun’s radiating heat.  
  
  
• “awesome (fear/dread) as an army with banners”
  Lastly, Solomon describes his bride as only a king could, with appreciation for a victorious army.

APPLY/THINK

In all, Solomon calls men to view and value women as a reflection of God’s glory and in the generous grace that is offered to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ. 

At this time let us introduce 4 ladies who reflect God’s glory and grace at SPBC…