Having read one of Leslie Ludy’s previously published books, Authentic Beauty, I was eager to get my hands on Set-Apart Femininity when it came out last fall. When I was in high school Authentic Beauty changed my life forever, so I knew I was in for something good when her husband Eric lovingly described her newest release as “Authentic Beauty times ten!” in an e-mail newsletter. I soon discovered that Eric had not over-exaggerated at all, and was astounded at the precise way Leslie’s words spoke deep into my heart. While I was reading, I felt as though Leslie had secretly read my entire journal from the past year and decided to write a book to me in response.

Set-Apart Femininity is not for the weak at heart. It is not “another Christian book for women” that tells you you’re beautiful “just the way God made you!” It does not offer ten steps to becoming more attractive to the single Christian guy who sits in your pew on Sundays. Rather, it calls for valiant and passionate Christian women who will dare to follow Christ—no matter what the cost.

Yes, there is a cost. In Luke chapter 9, Jesus says straight up that “if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (see Luke 9:23-25). Leslie seems to understand the fact that Jesus wasn’t merely making a suggestion, and that if women truly want to live out the beauty and strength of God-created femininity, dying to self is not an option. “Dying to self” is not a popular message that you’ll find in a lot of Christian books or magazines for women these days, because the fact is, it’s hard. To die daily to our comforts, lusts, agendas, and anything else that is fixated on “ME” goes against every fiber of our flesh. But Leslie does not leave readers in despair. Instead, she speaks boldly of the infinite rewards and joys of living such a life—

A life overtaken by the heavenly beauty of Christ is the only life truly worth living. Yes, it may include discomfort, prison, pain, or even death, but it also includes triumph, joy, peace, and fulfillment in their richest and purest forms. —pg. 34

Because of the dismal standards that modern Christianity has sunk to, Leslie’s message will likely come out as “extreme”, “legalistic”, or “unnecessary” to many of its readers, but every practical change I have since made in my life in response to God’s design for set-apart femininity has been unquestionably worth it and has not resulted in a legalistic heart. I realized that my calling is not just to be a “Christian woman,” but to be a strong and fortified warrior who experiences daily victory in battle and unwavering intimacy with Jesus Christ.

So what exactly does this set-apart femininity look like in daily life? I’d rather you just go and buy the book today and find out for yourself, but if you must get a peek, here are just a few of the characteristics of a woman who has become “dead to the flesh” and “alive to the Spirit” (see Romans 8:12-13).

• She is a woman of grace with the heart of a warrior. She is daily victorious over sin and the enemy because she is fully yielded to the Spirit and gives Him full reign over every moment.
• She is not preoccupied with gaining the applause of others around her, especially from the opposite sex. She is living for the praise of Him alone.
• She is fully set apart from the world and all its lusts, dead to the desires of her flesh, and caught up in an intimate and life-giving romance with her Heavenly Prince, who fulfills her in every way.
• Marriage is not her goal, but Christ alone.
• Her time is spent carefully, and she does not waste it on trivial concerns of the world such as celebrities and the latest blockbusters.
• She is a woman of passionate and devoted prayer because she believes the Word of God and stands firmly upon it.
• She cares about the things her Father cares about—the oppressed, lost, needy, orphan, and widow. She joyfully pours out her life to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
• There is an air of mystery to her. She does not wear her heart on her sleeve, because she is saving every part of her heart for her future spouse.
• She is selfless, daily dying to herself.

If you are a young woman who will dare to raise the bar in your relationship with Christ and the way you live it out on a daily basis, I urge you to read this book. Remember—Christ called us to a narrow path (Matt. 7:13-14). It is not a path that the world will applaud (or even the low standards of the modern church), but it is a path on which you will experience the fullness of the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Copyright © by Tessa Hershberger Share