A Marked Woman

When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. EPHESIANS 1:13

For many of us moms, our bodies are never exactly the same after we go through pregnancy and childbirth. Spider veins, a not-quite-so-tight stomach, and wider, flatter feet can all be everlasting reminders of those nine months—marks that signal our passage to motherhood.

When we learn about Jesus Christ and believe in Him, we are sealed—marked—as belonging to God (see Ephesians 1:13). It’s not as obvious as our physical motherhood marks, but it’s real just the same. It’s an invisible mark that shows itself through our actions and attitudes.

What kinds of actions? A contemporary Christian song in the late 1990s went through a list of things people sometimes use to show their Christianity: a cross necklace, a “Blessings” welcome mat at the door, a fish magnet on the car. Those are outward symbols meant for the world to see, but they aren’t true markings (which was the point of the song).

The real ways we show that we love and follow God are what other people might consider insignificant or weak. We close our mouths and walk away instead of saying what we’d like. We point out when the cashier gives us extra change and return it. We take extra pencils and paper to school for children who can’t afford to buy their own. Quiet things like these often speak louder than any flashing signs or messaged T-shirts because they show our true character. People learn about God through the things we say but also through the things we do day in and day out.

There are many ways people can see God’s invisible mark of ownership on us through our actions and attitudes. That’s where our true influence lies.

Lord, I know that I belong to You, but the world needs to know it, too. I want to be a marked woman for You. Help me find ways to show that I’m Yours so that people around me will want the same thing for themselves. Amen.