I just asked a simple loaded question to my mom. I don't blame her at all, but this shook me. Ever since I can remember, I had certain standards in my faith. To 99.9% of people who know I'm Pentecostal they cringe, or feel sorry for me. I don't care so much anymore. I asked my mom why we don't wear colored nail polish. She basically dodged the question, and said what I already knew. We wear only clear nail polish and that's it. One thing that really struck me hard was she said bright or bold colors aren't permitted. No boldness. To me, that says to women to be plain. To fade into the background. By the way, the nail polish thing is not supported by the Bible. If it was, I wouldn't even consider getting into that. But I asked why. Why do Pentecostal women have to lay down and go with the waves of man-made rules? I think this is ludicrous. It's like a washing of a part of your personality or a way to smooth your grooves out. :( Sad-ness. Anyways, she couldn't answer me and it left me baffled. I didn't have any more questions, but to think that my Sunday School teacher taught me that along with no make-up, and no jewelry. No reason; when I was young I didn't need a reason, but now I want to know how these rules came to be. Some crappy old person made these rules up. Maybe to please God, but to me this isn't pleasing Him. If you do wear red nail polish I know that my church wold scorn you! It's like flippin' Hestor Prinn! I've seen it with my own eyes. In no way am I renouncing my faith. Or Jesus. I just don't want to blindly believe something that has no reason. If the stuff I believe in has no reason or purpose behind it how am I going to tell someone else about my faith? Or be a witness if I don't even know what I believe in?! I can't. The last thing my mom did was point fingers. She accused our church members of wearing different types of clear to tinted polish. Shocked me to my core. What am I believing in? I hurt...deep inside.
Rachel
PS: I want to start a feminist zine.
6 comments:
Oh man! That sounds ridiculous. Mostly because I LOVE nail polish... and makeup! but mainly, nail polish! It just makes me happy painting sparkly or glittery goodness on my fingers... And it keeps me happy until it starts chipping bad. But of course that's when I'll just start over again! :D Limiting yourself to topcoat or some treatment polish seems such a shame.
If you can't find a reason, ask your youth pastor? I don't want to say maybe you shouldn't be Pentecostal, but if you feel differently now about certain things, maybe you should look to other religions...? You're faith in God and Jesus are still the same, I know that for sure. :) But is it time for you to look to another church? And your moms will always be your moms. :) She's an old fashion type of lady remember? hehe Text mes!
Don't ask your mom, don't ask your preacher. And don't JUST read the Bible, but study it! The only two instructions for womens apparel in the NT is in 1 Timothy 2 and
1 Peter 3. Even there it suggests that your adornment should not be MERELY external (and refers to the way rich folk or harlots dressed-which today would be the equivalent to showing your midriff and wearing hooch shorts or spending 1000 bucks on a purse-but it should be in the hidden person in your heart...and sista, you've got plenty of adornment in your heart...so go on and paint yourself up. So yes, just simply reading that verse can draw many unfair conclusions. Be modest in today's standards. That's it. Red nail polish, braids and makeup won't send you to hell. Not scriptural. If your church chooses to dress a certain way, that's fine, but as far as condemning others, there are no grounds scripturally. :)
Agreeing with Kims and Anon.
I know this is old but I am just reading this..Let me first say, that I am glad you don't doubt the Bible because that much we know is true. If you didn't atleast believe, then we wouldnt need to go any further because there would be no standard right? Well, I went through something similar. I love to wear makeup and I noticed that no one else at my church was really wearing any..false lashes and all is how i liked to do it... I am not really a follower in that sense..I follow Jesus but I know everyone has their own limits but that was the thing, I wanted to know God's stance on wearing makeup and being a little flashy. So I went on a 3 day fast with NO food at all, only water and I had one swallow of milk for a treat for dinner. During this time, I studied the virtuous women of the Bible and prayed and sought the Lord's guidance. I even took the time to exercise. God instructed me to not wear any makeup and keep my hair in some do-do plaits during this time..I was NOT CUTE by the world's standard...but I actually got some compliments..lol ..I felt good about it because I wanted something from God and maybe He impressed it upon that person to encourage me and it was really His voice but I was very encouraged to keep going...and as I began to study and pray and listen to the Lord's voice...He told me and showed me in His word where he says that the adornment of women does not make them beautiful but He does...that's paraphrasing but I am sure you heard it before...then He went on to explain to me...I am not forbidding you to wear makeup or do your hair nice or wear nice things, as long as you realize that I am the one who makes you beautiful and do not trust in these things to make you feel that way....I was totally BLOWN away...I got my answer..and I believe that is THE answer...as long as you understand that God has made you, fearfully and wonderfully, and know that He didn't make mistakes when He made you and He makes you feel beautiful because you have his Joy, Peace and Contentment, then those things are irrelevant. So, I will end it there...the people who are trying to lead you to go search for another religion, I hope these are not your friends..if so, get new ones...the last thing you need at this time is to have doubt calling you and texting you. "Evil communication corrupts good manner." But I hope you are past this crossroads and stronger because of this. God bless.
Thank you so much, Anon. I appreciate your honesty and respect for God. I think fasting and prayer just works everything out. If you seek His face, He will speak to you. That's something I'm trying to do. I want answers, I want to be that determined to get them. Once again, thank you. :)
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