The "Why" Behind Fearlessly Chique

Thanks to my friend, Bethany (who also happens to be an amazing graphic designer), Fearlessly Chique has a new look! As I've contemplated picking things up again, God has been reminding me why I started the blog in the first place. Sometimes I have the hardest time putting my thoughts and feelings into words. I don't know how to fully explain why I'm so passionate about this. The only thing I know with all my heart is that the teenage version of myself desperately needed Jesus and someone like "young adult Sarah" in her life. Below is the the new "About the blog" section for Fearlessly Chique to help you understand the purpose of the blog. It's currently 11:30pm and after a long work day, Body Pump class, and several hours catching up with friends, I'm pretty tired. Know that the words are coming from my heart and hopefully with time, you'll be able to see the work that the Lord has been stirring up in my heart for years.

Fearlessly Chique started as an idea in my dorm room at Liberty University back in 2011. I remember being so unsure of my major and what God's purpose was for putting me on this earth. I had just wrapped up one of my fashion classes for the day and was really struggling to work through how I could use my major for God's glory. I boldly cried out to the Lord for direction and purpose. I prayed, prayed some more, then sat silently waiting for Him to answer. After a few moments, I clearly remember a gentle, yet strong voice speak to my soul and say "I want you to teach young women about modesty". Did I hear that correctly?! When I thought about the fashion industry, modesty was the absolute last thing that crossed my mind. As I sat back and entertained the idea more, I started to remember the younger version of myself. I desperately wanted to be one of the popular girls in school, was completely brainwashed by the media's definition of beauty, and longed for the attention of guys to find my worth. I spent so much time trying to be what I saw on TV, read about in magazines, or listened to in the lyrics of my favorite songs on the radio, only to find years later that I was lost, broken, ashamed, and angry at God. God being rich in love, mercy, and grace, picked up the shattered pieces of my life and gave me a second chance - He called me His own. He told me that I was loved, forgiven, and that if I allowed Him to, He could make something beautiful out of my life. Every void I ever felt He had the power to fill, every blemish he could wipe clean, and every ounce of brokenness could be restored. Although I rejected Him so many times in the past, He never stopped wanting a deeper relationship with me! 

Fearlessly Chique is an opportunity for me to share two things that I love with others - Jesus and fashion! It breaks my heart that at tender young ages, girls are already being so heavily influenced and are walking through some of the most challenging years of their lives not knowing their worth. The messages that we hear everyday are laced so intricately with lies, that they create strongholds for women even into adulthood. I want to be a voice that speaks out in the midst of all the noise to share the redeeming power of Christ. I want women to know that they're loved, valued, and set apart for God's glory. I want to share some of life's challenges that I've gone through in hopes that they'll encourage someone else. To me modesty is so much more than the things we wear, it's a matter of the heart. I hope this blog will help cultivate hearts that yearn for Jesus and to be more like Him. To be fashioned by Christ is to grow in His likeness, live fully surrendered, and walk in purpose. 

I'm learning to love myself more one day at a time, but most importantly, I've been falling in love with my Creator and that has been the true reward. This whole blogging thing is new to me (not really sure if I'll even be good at it), but it's the door I'm going to walk through for right now to make Fearlessly Chique a reality. I hope you'll join this journey with me. 

Love,
Sarah

The Rock Won’t Move

I would have to say "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" by Edward Mote is my favorite hymn of all time. Many contemporary Christian songs are derived from its lyrics and they speak so powerfully to my soul. Today I heard a new song, “The Rock Won’t Move” by Vertical Church Band, and was literally brought to tears. The pastor spoke on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) and specifically focused on verse 15: “… and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (ESV). Peace. In the recent year I have found myself at many crossroads where I had to choose to continue on as things were or place the situation in God’s hands. I’ve previously talked about my struggle with fear and anxiety but through continuously making an effort to trust in the Lord’s promises and rely on His grace I have made strides.  Today I found myself overwhelmed by the sermon and lyrics of the song because I was able to really visualize the faithfulness of God and it was so beautiful to me. The recent months have been filled with some of the sweetest and hardest moments of my life – mountaintops and valleys. Through them all, whether I realized it at first or not, the Lord was there. While my faith may have shifted, the Rock didn’t move. As I reflected on how the Lord revealed Himself to me in such a personal, intimate way I was filled with joy, peace, and even more faith to put my trust in Him alone.

Being 24 something that I’ve really been seeking the Lord on is what’s next for me – I feel like my mind races a mile a minute trying to figure it all out! Today I was encouraged as I was reminded that the Lord has gone before me and as long as I walk with Him my future is secure. With so much uncertainty surrounding me it’s really easy to become anxious but I can choose to remember that God is steadfast and can be trusted. Sisters, whatever challenges you’re facing, whatever is causing you doubt or stress, choose to pray and give it to the Lord – fully. In the midst of everything we have a reason to rejoice because of the beautiful love that was shown to us on the cross – because of His sacrifice we have hope.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“ – Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27 ESV

Here’s to Starting.

I know that this post may seem a little late into the new year but honestly the phrase “better late than never” holds so much truth and significance in my life right now. For as long as I can remember I’ve allowed fear to prevent me from boldly approaching life.  Back in 2009 when God clearly spoke to me about this ministry I had my doubts, but I gradually started to pray and visualize what it would look like.  As Fearlessly Chique began to come together, Satan also started working harder to continue to hold me captive in this area.  As one year ends and another begins I always find myself in a state of reflection – fear has been a recurring theme annually that I’ve begged God to rid me of. In December while home for Christmas break I started reading Start. by Jon Acuff. Only a few pages in I was overwhelmed by the realization that in every instance that I struggled with fear it wasn’t rooted in God’s inability to come through but in my failure to trust in Him.  This is such a basic truth that I’ve read, heard, written, sang, and prayed about for so long but it fell afresh on me and I feel encouraged! The moment we believe something for ourselves is when it becomes real and change happens. I’ve approached 2014 praying that I will hold on to these simple truths as I face the unknown:

1) God has and will always be faithful: I can look back and see His marvelous works in my life and be confident that He’s already gone before me for all my days.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations; – Deuteronomy 7:9

2) God’s grace is sufficient. Period: No matter how many times I may fail God’s hand is outstretched even if I’m underserving. I shouldn’t rob God of the grace He’s freely given to me but allow it to soften my heart and give me a greater love for Him and desire to serve Him.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

3) It’s all about starting: I refuse to allow another crippling “year of fear” engulf every area of my life and prevent me from receiving the blessings the Lord has in store.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

Here I sit in 2014 (5 years later) starting again on this journey of ministry that has caused me a great deal of fear and anxiety – since Satan has been trying so hard to keep me from it I believe that one of the greatest blessings I will receive in this lifetime will stem from it. I’m confident that if I strive to honor the Lord with this ministry His word will not be returned void and He’ll be glorified.

For those who may be reading that loved, encouraged, and prayed for Fearlessly Chique THANK YOU for your support.

Philippians 3

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3: 18-21

One thing that absolutely cannot be stressed enough is how much, as women, we need to guard our hearts against Satan. Spiritual warfare is all around us, and Paul gave such wonderful advice on how to fight the battle. When everyone around us has their hearts and minds focused on earthly things, Christians have to remember that our permanent citizenship is in Heaven, with God, praising and glorifying HIS name.

I had to pray so intently about this just the other day. I woke up late, rushing around a bit, and couldn’t decide what to wear. My heart was focused on the temporary things of this world. My heart was focused on myself. I had to pause everything I was doing, sit down with the Lord, read this passage, and pray that He would take my focus off of what my hair looked like and put on what my heart looks like. It was amazing in just those few minutes how the Lord completely calmed my spirit, refocused my eyes on Him, and I had a wonderful day in my jeans, white v-neck, and my hair in a messy bun.

If we will only take the time to remember what are the eternal things in life and ask the Lord to turn our eyes to those things, He could use us so mightily.

By: Caitlin Bradt

Shine Your Light

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel

I love this quote because I have never found one that clearly states that fashion is not just about dress. The same can be said about modesty. Modesty is not just about the way we dress. It’s about our life and the way we present ourselves to the world.

Luke 11:33 says, “No one, when he has a lit lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.”

Our lights, as Christian women, should not be kept secret or hidden. We show the world who we serve by the love we show to others, the way we act, and the words we say. It is important to remember this when we walk out of our doors in the morning. Is my attitude modest? Is my intent today to bring glory to God and to shine my light for Him?

By: Caitlin Bradt