In All Things

   I'd like you to meet a new 'friend' of mine, her name is Melanie Wilkes. Actually, I'm sure you already know her. She is everybody's favorite mistress from Gone With The Wind, the wife of Scarlett's lifelong forbidden love, Ashley Wilkes. I recently had the pleasure of seeing the movie for the first time, and I rather enjoyed it.

   I've had her and several other fictional ladies brought to my attention in the last few weeks, all women of similar character. Along with Melanie I've been reminded of Helen Burns from Jane Eyre, and Elsie Dinsmore. All three of these ladies are unforgettable, their actions speak volumes. They are forbearing, they suffer willingly, believe the best in others, are slow to judge, always giving the benefit of the doubt, and always quick to forgive. I understand that they are only fictional, but surely such a high standard shouldn't be ignored or laid aside. This morning my personal devos took me to Philippians 2:14-18, and it so perfectly describes these precious women.

   Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become {blameless} and {harmless}, children of God {without fault} in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you {shine as lights} in the world, {holding fast} the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

   Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

   There are many things to study in these verses, and I parenthesized the points that describe my heroines. Helen Burns from Charlotte Bronte's masterpiece was a willing sufferer. She accepted all her trials and persecutions as just punishment. She never focused on her pain, but looked forward to her eternal reward. Such character is blameless, unable to be criticized. Helen never misbehaved, she was picked on by her teachers who were scraping the bottom of the barrel to find something wrong with her. Helen was {blameless}.

   Of course the first thing everyone knows about Melanie is that she is such a forbearing soul. She loved Scarlett with every bit of sisterly affection, even when she had no obligation to. She defended Scarlett, even when the other girls justly accused her. Scarlett almost never did an unselfish act toward Melanie, but Melanie never complained. Even when Melanie heard of Scarlett's infidelity with her husband, she was the first to forgive. She could have been the first to shun, but she was the only one who believed in Scarlett's innocence. Melanie was {harmless}, innocent and pure. She was unable to hurt anyone, willingly or otherwise.

   Elsie Dinsmore was finally recognized by a father who had abandoned her to be raised by his own parents. He was not a servant of the Lord, and wanted Elsie to obey him, even to the point of causing her to disobey the Lord. She would not, however, and approached the brink of death in her fervency to serve the Lord. She never complained, Elsie was {without fault}. She was above reproach in her passion to follow the Lord.

   We live in a crooked and perverted world. What the world considers acceptable has deviated from God's standards, but these ladies wouldn't settle for "acceptable". They never complained, never argued. As John MacArthur says, those sins "demonstrate a lack of trust in God's providential will, boundless grace, and infinite wisdom and love." They never questioned or criticized what God was doing. Romans 8:28 says that ALL THINGS work together for good to those that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose. Helen always knew that the Lord had a reason for her to be at Lowood School, she was content where she was. Even though the teachers persecuted her, she knew suffering was a gift of the Lord.

   These ladies shine brightly, their impeccable character is unforgettable, and leaves us desiring to be just as admirable. The Lord tells us to shine, and because we are Christians, we will stand out in a crooked generation, just as a candle stands out in a dark room, or stars stand out in a night sky. A better interpretation of "holding fast" would be "holding forth". We are holding the standard, we are Christ's representatives and He's given us the capacity to shine for Him.

   Rejoice in the opportunities God has given you to suffer, don't complain. It's a gift of grace, to be oppressed for Christ's sake. Be a willing sacrifice for the Lord, believe the best in others, be blameless and above reproach. Lord, make me even a little more like these fictional heroines, always blessing your name, and bringing You glory.