This week I’m delighted to share the very first guest post on Free Indeed, written by my dear blogging friend Julie Loos at unmaskingthemess.com. Her posts always have heartfelt stories, practical wisdom, and genuineness that I really appreciate. In this article she encourages us to recognize the worth we have in Christ. When we truly live out the faith God has so graciously given us, we can shine like rubies.
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As I entered the community’s family room, I noticed the snow-white hair of the men and women sitting on couches, chairs and some in wheelchairs. The recognizable song filled my ears and without having to look at the TV I knew Jeopardy was on. I immediately thought my choice of clothing had been picked too hastily as the temperature in the room was very warm.
Sitting across the room on the beige couch, was a petite lady dressed in purple, her white hair was pulled back into a chignon, and her lips were a shade of magenta pink. She was stunningly beautiful and stood out from the rest of the residents. I had to talk to her.
After a few visits, Ruby and I became friends. What struck me the most was not only her boldness of faith but her quiet, inner confidence. Her husband, family, and friends loved her greatly. As these visits continued, I wondered what made Ruby such a special lady.
Her name was not only beautiful, but her life was a testament to God’s definition of the significance of a ruby.
God tells us in His word that,
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 31:10, NLT)
Why are rubies so valuable?
If Christian women are worth more than a ruby, what makes them so precious?
Rubies Are Unique
I don’t know about you, but I thought diamonds were a girl’s best friend. Rubies, however, are not only more expensive but are extremely rare.
In a world filled with many women, the Christian woman who has Christ dwelling within her, abiding in His calling on her life, and surrendering to His plans is also exceedingly rare.
Rubies Have a Passionate Red Glow
Rubies were so brilliant that only kings could wear them. The darker the shade of red, the more the worth. Christ’s spilling of blood on the cross gives the Christian woman new life – the passion for sharing the Saving News with others. As the woman grows in faith, her desire for God and her ability to shine grows deeper, and the glow gives off more light.
The color and brightness of a ruby makes them treasured.
God chooses us before conception. God knows all the inner workings within and wants her for His purpose because of her uniqueness. She grows and becomes more virtuous as she experiences the good and bad of life and ultimately all of her life showcases His glory.
Rubies are Loved
If you got a precious stone, you would do all you could to protect it. My diamond wedding ring disappeared once, and I was sick to my stomach until I found it. I know it’s only a ring, but what it signified meant a lot to me.
A Christian woman lives life loved by her Creator.
SHE LIVES LIFE KNOWING:
· Her calling is unique.
· His promises to her and her ability to trust Him.
· Her particular importance in her daily calling.
· She is vigorous and confident because God is behind her.
Why do we live like we don’t matter to God?
Maybe you have a past that keeps you from His love.
Life might be hard, and you’re suffering; therefore you can’t believe you’re loved.
We might have expectations of how you thought your life would be, and it’s different from reality.
God might not be your all, in all, so you try to do life in your strength instead of trusting and surrendering to God’s will.
Satan and his lies might also be keeping you from feeling like you are a ruby, so you settle like you’re a ordinary rock blending into the world.
Here’s the thing, living on this earth, many days we won’t feel precious. Our feelings aren’t the truth though, God’s word is. We can live faithful and steadfast because of Christ.
We are precious because Christ paid the price.
Ruby died a few years ago but her legacy and memory live on. She modeled how I want to live my life. I hope to display the same confidence that I am more precious than rubies. Ruby stood out in her passion and love of God and everyone adored her.
I have had the pleasure of meeting some “Rubies” and I too strive to be like them! They have similar characteristics – love for Jesus, a boldness to share His word, a quiet confidence, and a classy presentation. Rare indeed! Great guest post Julie! God bless both of you!
Thank you for reading, Melissa! It’s amazing how when we as women are rooted in Christ God makes us even MORE beautiful. I love Julie’s story of meeting Ruby, and have similar mentors and examples in my life, too! What a blessing they are.
Melissa- these “rubies,” you’ve met must have made an impact on you! Let’s be the women who make an impact on the generations younger than us!
As women we can have a tendency to live as we were treated in the past. It takes been honest with our self to move past the lies of the enemy and recognise our feelings are not always true. Accepting and living as the priceless treasures we are in Christ takes a daily conscious effort. But when we do it brings a glow and light to our lives that attracts others to us. I want to live like a RUBY
For myself, my daughter and others I may come i contact with.
Love this post!
So true, Lureta! We have to live with a godly mindset, one that knows it is redeemed by His grace and made new by His love. I too have the desire to live like a ruby – a woman treasured by God and that treasures Him!
Lureta- I want to be a Ruby also! I haven’t been living that way, but I can choose to live loved and treasured from this point on!
This was beautiful Julie!! Love the insight on the shade of a ruby and the glow and how as the color deepens it becomes more valuable, just like the precious blood of Christ spilled on our behalf. Thank you Dani for sharing this with us. Blessings my friends????
Sharing to Facebook
Thank you, Gretchen! I appreciate the sweet words and the sharing to Facebook!
Yes, I loved that detail too! Thank you for sharing the post, and for your visit, Gretchen. Blessings!
I just love this biblical analogy of the ruby and how significant we are to our Creator. What a memorable piece Julie!
Isn’t it so beautiful and powerful? So thankful for Julie’s encouragement with this verse. Thanks for visiting, Natalie! 🙂
Wow, Natalie, thank you! I appreciate your encouragement! Hugs!
A lot of women don’t believe that they are loved because they have never actually been loved by anyone on this earth. So there is no way to grasp something that they have no experience with. They also believe that if they have been brutalized, that God chose not to protect them. The truth is that God is with us in the midst of the horror, and the pressure and heat of the furnace is what makes us diamonds.
That is true, Susan. God cares deeply for us, and shows this by giving us Jesus His Son. Praying women who are hurting can come across this and know how loved they are.
What a beautiful post! How wonderful it is to have women in our lives that the Lord uses to point us toward Him. Thank you, ladies! I’ll be pinning, sharing and following this as it encouraged my heart. <3 Praying blessings over your ministries!
Praise the Lord it was encouraging, Katie! God is indeed gracious in giving us such godly examples. Thank you for your prayers! 🙂
Thank you so much, Katie!
Oh, I love this! I had a great-aunt called Ruby, she was a missionary and a great example of faith.
Very cool, Bella! I bet she was a wonderful woman who lived up to her name.
Bella- I’m so glad you had a Ruby in your life!
Rubies are special in the Bible and A woman is worth more than a Ruby; Proverbs 31:10 I wanna be worth more than a Ruby
It is so powerful that God’s Word calls us more precious than a ruby! Praise the Lord that all women who place their trust in Christ can be considered in that way. Thank you for reading, Jackie!
Jackie- I do too!
I LOVE this! Really put a new perspective on what God intended that verse to mean to me.
I know, it did the same for me! 🙂
Hilary- thank you for the encouragement! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
My Grandmother died a few months ago and her name was Ruby. She was beautiful and so was her faith. I will miss her and hope to possess many of her sparkling qualities!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. Praise the Lord though for her beautiful testimony of faith! I’m praying we can be like these amazing “Rubies” God has placed in our lives.
Katie- so sorry for your loss! What a beautiful blessing your Ruby was!
Thank you, Julie!!! This is convicting! I truly think so little of myself, and it’s a constant battle against negative thoughts. This helped remind me who I am in Christ! I mean, I should always know this right? It’s silly that I always need reminders, thank you for being that reminder today! And, Thank You Ruby for being an inspiration! Bless you!
We all need these frequent reminders! It’s wonderful how when have a proper view of Christ and His love, we have a proper view of ourselves. Praying you continue to discover the incredible worth you have in Jesus, Katie! Blessings! 🙂
Katie- You are a ruby in Christ! Loved and cherished forever!
I love the name Ruby:) what a beautiful analogy of how precious of a gem we are called to be and how our life should sparkle for the Lord.
I want to be a ruby that exempiflies bright red glow of the joy the Lord put in me and not the bright red of fury or jealousy.
A lasting legacy for my children 🙂
Blessings Julie as you spread His word
Thank you Dani for hosting her
So glad to have met you all through this world of blogging
Diana- Thank you! Burning of passion for God and sparkling for others to see, I want to be that too!
Dani- thank you again for the opportunity to share here at your site!
Of course, Julie! It’s been a blessing having you here and seeing how God’s used it to encourage many! 🙂
I think we can all probably think of a Ruby in our lives. My example of a Ruby is an older woman who attends our church. She is a wonderful Godly woman, from whom I have learned so much from. This post reminds me of her 🙂
It is incredible to see so many sharing about the “Rubies” in their life – both in name and in spirit! Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!
My very first church mentor is a Ruby and I strive to be just like her! Her faith is so amazing, just being in her presence is influential! This was such a great post at such a needed time! Thank you for reminding me to pay attention to the Ruby in my life and as well as reminding me to strive to be a Ruby to others one day!
Wow, another precious Ruby! Praise the Lord for her example. So glad this post was encouraging to you, Liz. 🙂
This is lovely, and I too hope to be like Ruby. As I grow in Christ I can see that this is where He is leading. Quiet confidence! What a beautiful gift we can give to others. I wonder if Ruby knew that she had such an impact on you and others around her. Sometimes I think we just don’t see the positive effect we have on others. Beautifully said, Many Thanks! 8)
I agree – it is so powerful to see a woman who is “ahead” in the faith – it helps us to be faithful and to pursue the growth to be had in the Holy Spirit. And that’s true, we should be mindful of how our effect can have such a longstanding impact. Blessings, Debra!
Thank you for encouraging us to live our lives knowing that we are loved and precious! As a momma of littles it can be hard to remember that sometimes. <3
So true! We can get lost in our to-do lists and daily grind and forget our Creator’s refreshing and empowering love for us. Thank you for reading, Rebekah!
Hi, thank you for sharing your thoughts about being Christian woman. I’m actually on a study the book of Proverbs and I really want to focus on the virtuous woman which I am going to share this week on our weekly ladies bible study. Indeed, a virtuous woman is not just an ordinary Christian woman is rare to find, and I’m striving to be one.
May God continually bless your heart.