needhope's Journal

By Kim Hill

If I had to choose one message to share with women today, it would be this. "You are precious to God and very important to Him. Regardless of how you look on the outside. He loves you and will never let you down. he is your friend and He is faithful. he would die on the cross for you-even if you were the only person on earth."

I'm saddened by how much time women spend worrying about what's on the outside, while neglecting the inside-their character. Several years ago, I recorded a song called "Charm is Deceitful"-which is based on Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful

Beauty is vain

But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised...

In a world where we see with our eyes

I pray for eyes that see the heart...

Looking good is important, but it's not good to get so caught up in our looks. It's tough to balance concern for our apperarance with concern for who we are on the inside-the part of us that lasts forever. I often ask myself. Do I spend as much time with the Lord, developing my spirit, as I do exercising.

Through the years, the Lord has given me compassion for other people. He's helped me to focus on their character-not just their clothes and hair and things on the surface.

Learning to look at myself and others through God's eyes has been a difficult challenge for me. (It's jut human nature to look at the "package," isn't it?) Yet I've sought to follow the example of my two greatest role models: my mom and dad. I've always been really close to my parents. I never went through any big rebellion as a teen. They were my loudest testimomy of all the Lord could be in my life.

In high school, my mom really nurtured my spiritual growth. She'd come into my room in the mornings and say, "Kim, get up, Read your Bible." And I would try, but it was a real struggle. I had a hard time bing consistent and faithful. I'd get frustrated and think. Whis is this so hard? Why can't I do this?

Even though I became a Christian when I was nin. I didn't really grasp the concept of entire commitment until college. I eventually asked God to take my whole life and to have all of me. At that point, I had a real desire to read the Word and spend time with Him. In fact, spending the start of each day with the Lord is now the most important thing I do. When I miss a day with Him. I really notice a difference.

I've also learned to step back take a break from my daily routine, and ask myself a few hard-core questions. What are my priorities? What am I really living for-God or things?

I'm doing my best to be faithful to the Lord. The one thing I want to urge young women to do is spend time with Jesus now and walk with Him today-don't wait until tomorrow. Give Him your youthful years. He'll use what you have and will honor the desires of your heart. I guarantee it.