A call to set-apart living in a culture that wants to blend us in
Dear sister,
Can we talk honestly about holiness for a moment?
I know that word might make you uncomfortable. Maybe it conjures up images of stern-faced women in outdated clothes, joylessly following a list of rules. Or perhaps you’re thinking, “That’s not for me—I’m too messy, too broken, too far behind.”
But what if I told you that holiness isn’t what you think it is? What if holiness is actually the doorway to the abundant, purposeful, powerful life you’ve been craving?
The Holiness We’ve Forgotten
When God calls us to “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16), He’s not asking us to achieve moral perfection on our own. He’s inviting us into something far more beautiful: a life set apart for His purposes, filled with His presence, and marked by His power.
Holiness simply means “set apart.” It means being different—not weird, but intentionally distinct. It means living as a kingdom citizen in a world that’s forgotten who the true King is.
And here’s what I’ve discovered in my own journey: holiness isn’t restrictive—it’s liberating. It’s not about what you can’t do; it’s about who you get to become.
Kingdom Living: Heaven’s Agenda on Earth
Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Kingdom living means we bring heaven’s values, heaven’s priorities, and heaven’s power into our everyday lives right now.
This is where holiness and kingdom living intersect beautifully. As holy women—set apart for God—we become His representatives, His ambassadors, His kingdom agents on earth.
But what does this actually look like on a random Tuesday when you’re juggling work emails, family drama, and your own spiritual dryness?
1. Kingdom Women Guard Their Hearts
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Holiness starts internally. We can’t live set-apart lives if we’re consuming the same media, adopting the same mindsets, and pursuing the same goals as everyone around us.
This isn’t about legalism—it’s about intentionality. What are you feeding your mind? What voices have the most influence in your life? What are you binge-watching when no one’s looking?
Kingdom living means we curate our inputs carefully because we understand that what goes in eventually comes out. We’re not trying to be perfect; we’re trying to be purposeful.
2. Kingdom Women Operate by Different Metrics
The world measures success by wealth, beauty, influence, and achievement. But Jesus turned all of that upside down:
- “The last will be first” (Matthew 20:16)
- “Whoever wants to become great must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26)
- “Blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5)
- “Store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20)
When you’re living for the kingdom, you stop competing and start collaborating. You stop chasing validation from social media and start seeking approval from your Father. You stop measuring your worth by your productivity and start resting in your identity as God’s beloved daughter.
This is radical. This is countercultural. This is holiness.
3. Kingdom Women Live with Eternity in Mind
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Every decision becomes clearer when you ask: “How does this matter for eternity?”
- That relationship you’re holding onto that God’s asked you to release? Eternal implications.
- The time you spend scrolling vs. the time you spend in the Word? Eternal implications.
- The way you speak to your husband, your kids, your coworkers? Eternal implications.
- The money you spend on temporary pleasures vs. eternal investments? Eternal implications.
This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy life or have fun—God gives us good gifts to enjoy! But it does mean we hold everything with open hands, asking, “Lord, how do You want to use this for Your kingdom?”
4. Kingdom Women Walk in Power, Love, and Self-Discipline
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Here’s where holiness gets really exciting: when we’re set apart for God, we’re also filled with His Spirit. And His Spirit gives us:
Power – Not to muscle through life in our own strength, but to live supernaturally, seeing God move in and through us
Love – Not sentimental feelings, but the kind of love that sacrifices, serves, and sees people the way Jesus sees them
Self-discipline – Not white-knuckling our way through temptation, but genuine transformation from the inside out
This is the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). This is what it means to abide in Him (John 15). This is kingdom living.
The Cost and the Reward
Let me be honest with you: pursuing holiness and kingdom living will cost you something.
It cost me friendships that were pulling me away from God. It cost me entertainment that was numbing my spiritual sensitivity. It cost me approval from people who wanted me to stay the same. It cost me comfort as God stretched and refined me.
But what I’ve gained is immeasurably more.
I’ve gained:
- Peace that surpasses understanding
- Purpose that gets me out of bed with joy
- Power to overcome struggles that once defeated me
- Intimacy with Jesus that satisfies my soul
- Freedom from people-pleasing and performance
- Clarity about my calling and confidence to walk in it
Jesus said, “Whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25). He wasn’t exaggerating.
Your Invitation
Sister, this is your invitation: Come and be set apart.
Not set apart in isolation, but set apart for purpose. Not set apart in perfection, but set apart for transformation. Not set apart to be weird, but set apart to be a world-changer.
God is looking for women who will live differently—not because they’re trying to earn His love, but because they’ve already received it. Women who will represent His kingdom in boardrooms and break rooms, in grocery stores and playgrounds, in marriages and ministries.
Will you be one of them?
Here’s how to start:
- Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24) – Where is He calling you to be more set apart?
- Make one intentional change – What’s one area where you know you need to align with kingdom values?
- Find your people – Surround yourself with women who are also pursuing holiness and kingdom living
- Stay in the Word – You can’t live set apart without staying connected to the One who sets you apart
- Walk in grace – This is a journey, not a destination. You’ll stumble. You’ll fail. His grace is sufficient.
A Final Word
As I write this, I’m reminded of my own journey. I’m the girl who grew up feeling like a weirdo, who battled anxiety and depression, who failed in marriage before finding redemption. I’m still socially awkward. I’m still a work in progress.
But God has taught me that holiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. And when we set our faces toward Him, when we commit to living as kingdom women in this world, He does the transforming work.
You were made for more than blending in, sister. You were made for kingdom impact. You were made to be holy—set apart, filled up, and sent out.
Will you answer the call?
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9In His grace,
Tashay
Reflection Questions:
- What area of your life is God calling you to surrender for kingdom purposes?
- What worldly metric are you still measuring yourself by?
- What one intentional change can you make this week to live more set apart?
Tashay, this content should give you a strong foundation for the next couple of weeks! The shorts can be 30-60 seconds each, and the blog post gives your readers something substantial to chew on. Want me to help you develop any of these topics further or create scripts for specific videos?
