Captivating Chapter 2

Please read chapter two "What Eve Alone Can Tell" of Captivating and email your answers to your partners. A week and a half to send. Please let me know if you have any questions :)

What Eve Alone Can Tell

What do you like about this chapter?

What do you not like about it? What are you struggling with?

A woman's struggle with her sense of worth points to something glorious she was designed to be. The great emptiness we feel points to the great place we were created for. Have you ever thought of your struggles and longings as pointing to something great you are designed to be?

What does Eve speak to us?

The story of Eve holds such rich treasures for us to discover. The essence and purpose of a women is unveiled here in the story of her creation. These profound, eternal, mythic themes are written not just here in the coming of Eve, but in the soul of every woman after. Woman is the crown of creation - the most intricate, dazzling creature on earth. She has a crucial role to play, a destiny of her own. And she, too, bears the image of God. But in a way that only the feminine can speak. What can we learn from her? God wanted to reveal something about himself, so he gave us Eve. When you are with a woman, ask yourself, what is she telling me about God? It will open up wonders for you.

Do this - ask yourself this very question. And . . . ?

Most women define themselves in terms of their relationships, and the quality they deem those relationships to have. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend. Or, I am alone. I'm not seeing anyone right now, or my children aren't calling, or my friends seem distant. This is not weakness in women - it is a glory. A glory that reflects the heart of God.

How do you define yourself? If you were to introduce yourself, what would you say?

Being with a woman who is at rest, a woman comfortable within her own beauty, is an enjoyable experience. She is trusting God, not striving to become beautiful, but allowing his beauty to more fully inhabit her. Have you ever had the experience of being with a woman who was stressed, striving, worried? And how did you feel around her?

Have you ever had the pleasure of being with a woman who is resting in God and knowing that all will be well? How did you feel around her?

Think of the women that inspire you: what is it about their lives that calls you to something more?

But why a beauty to unveil?

One of the deepest ways a woman bears the image of God is in her mystery. By mystery we don't mean "forever beyond your knowing," but "something to be explored." "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter," says the book of Proverbs, "to search out a matter is the glory of kings" (25:2 NKJV). God yearns to be known, but he wants to be sought after by those who would know him. He says, "You shall find me when you seek me with all your heart," (Jer 29:13 NKJV).

Are you aware of this yearning, as a woman? And are you being sought after these days?

Every woman has a beauty to unveil.

Every woman.

Because she bears the image of God. She doesn't have to conjure it, go get it from a salon, have plastic surgery or a breast implant. No, beauty is an essence that is given to every woman at her creation.

What if? What if this really is TRUE about you - that you ARE captivating woman? Let your heart go there for a moment; what does it bring?