Virtuous: A Devotional for WomenSample

Wholeness

Key Verse:

"So God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27

Reading:

Today, we're going to talk about wholeness. We define wholeness as alignment between the spirit, the immortal soul, and the body. Scripture tells us that we are made in the image of God. In Genesis 1:27, we see that God created man in His image, in the image of God, He created male and female. The word God here, Elohim, is a plural intensive, but it has a singular meaning. In case there's any doubt about the triune nature of God. In Genesis 1:26, we hear God speak of Himself in the plural: "Let us make man in our image." We know that God is three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and yet He is the essence of unity. For wholeness, we see one will, one plan, one message, one sense of purpose. We never see any conflict in the Trinity. The concept of separation and wholeness is actually seen throughout the entire scriptures. In Genesis, man's sin separated him from God, and God was forced to send Adam and Eve away. The word used is gurash, which is the same word that is translated as divorce. No wonder Malachi says that God hates divorce. It's the destruction of unity. In the New Testament, we see reconciliation and restoration. Jesus made the two one again, as it says in Ephesians 2:14, reconciling those who were near and far away to Himself. To reconcile means to bring back a former state of harmony. The concept of separation and restoration to wholeness is everywhere, and Jesus is the one who makes wholeness possible.

A whole woman doesn't have an internal battle raging within. She not only knows who she is and why she's here, but she also understands the value of being made in the image of God. It gives her courage to exhibit the characteristics of her Creator. Her mind isn't filled with worldly expectations that work against her body and spirit and leave her anxious and dissatisfied. Her body isn't manipulated into another form or used for purposes that war against her soul and spirit; her spirit is at peace, trusting that God is good and only wants good for her, just as He made her.

Satan's attack on Eve's integrity, seen in Genesis, was an attack on her wholeness. Before the fall, Eve's spirit, soul, and body were in harmony and alignment. She lived a perfect life filled with peace and confidence in God. Suddenly, after she sinned, she began feeling shame and a lack of confidence in God. Satan's methods have not changed in thousands of years. His approach with Eve is reminiscent of the cultural attacks we're seeing on womanhood today. Whether that may be the world's lies of how immodesty is okay and makes you beautiful, or that sex isn't a sacred act between a man and woman who are married, or that being female isn't something you are born into but choose to be. Those are all lies that Satan has crafted to attack the wholeness you find in God. When you begin believing those lies, you begin to lose the harmony and peace between your spirit, soul, and body. I hope you'll think about and reflect on wholeness and how it relates to you personally.

Reflection:

1. Understanding Wholeness: Reflect on the alignment between your spirit, soul, and body. Do you feel a sense of harmony within yourself, or is there an internal battle raging?
2. Value and Purpose: Recognize your value as being made in the image of God. How does this understanding give you courage and peace in your daily life?
3. Cultural Pressures: Consider the worldly expectations and pressures that may be causing internal conflict. How can you realign your spirit, soul, and body with God’s truth and purpose?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us in Your image and for the gift of wholeness through Jesus Christ. Help us to align our spirit, soul, and body with Your will and purpose. Give us the courage to resist cultural pressures and to embrace our values and identity in You. May Your peace fill our hearts, and may we reflect Your love and unity in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.