Dare To Dream Fund Ministry.
Daily Devotional: Determined to Rise.
Nail Polish and the Narrow Path — A Woman’s Quiet Reckoning
Author: Faith Mukarugwiza
Opening Reflection
What began as a simple trip—just to get my nails done—turned into something far more profound.
A quiet act of self-care opened the door to deeper questions about culture, identity, holiness, and womanhood in today’s world. The Holy Spirit met me there—not with condemnation, but with conviction.
Could something so small carry eternal weight?
The Stirring Within
As I sat in the salon, surrounded by color palettes and trends, a sudden unease began to stir.
Questions whispered through my spirit:
a) What does Scripture say about how a woman of God should present herself?
b) Do my outward expressions reflect the inward grace Christ is forming in me?
C) Am I adorning myself in the way He would have me?
I wasn’t just asking about nail polish. I was asking about intention, identity, and holiness.
Cultural Questions and Kingdom Standards
Being Rwandan adds another layer to this tension.
I found myself reflecting on the changing landscape of womanhood in Rwanda.
Opening Reflection
What began as a simple trip—just to get my nails done—turned into something far more profound.
A quiet act of self-care opened the door to deeper questions about culture, identity, holiness, and womanhood in today’s world. The Holy Spirit met me there—not with condemnation, but with conviction.
Could something so small carry eternal weight?
The Stirring Within
As I sat in the salon, surrounded by color palettes and trends, a sudden unease began to stir.
Questions whispered through my spirit:
a) What does Scripture say about how a woman of God should present herself?
b) Do my outward expressions reflect the inward grace Christ is forming in me?
C) Am I adorning myself in the way He would have me?
I wasn’t just asking about nail polish. I was asking about intention, identity, and holiness.
Cultural Questions and Kingdom Standards
Being Rwandan adds another layer to this tension.
I found myself reflecting on the changing landscape of womanhood in Rwanda.
More questions to ask ourselves as Rwandan woman.
Where is the dignity of our foremothers?
Has modernity swept through so swiftly that our cultural grace got lost in its tide?
Torn jeans, extravagant nails, short shorts and revealing trends now dominate our streets.
But what do they say about us?
Are we speaking louder with fashion because we’ve quieted our inner voices?
Where is the dignity of our foremothers?
Has modernity swept through so swiftly that our cultural grace got lost in its tide?
Torn jeans, extravagant nails, short shorts and revealing trends now dominate our streets.
But what do they say about us?
Are we speaking louder with fashion because we’ve quieted our inner voices?
I don't know yet but what do you think?
The Biblical Mirror
In this moment of questioning, I found myself in the Book of Jeremiah.
It wasn’t just the false prophets that disturbed me—it was the mirror it held up to us: a people straying, losing our sacred sense of direction.
It felt deeply personal.
Yet even in correction, God speaks restoration.
The journey through Jeremiah led me to Lamentations, where grief births hope and brokenness gives way to clarity.
A Commission Within the Conviction
In these private reckonings, I heard a public calling:
God is preparing me—for more than just a wedding day, but for the Wedding Day both are true.
Not only for ministry, but for mentorship—raising women who know who they are in Christ, and who walk it out in both spirit and appearance.
And yes, inclusion is the forefront of it , God first but that includes how we dress, how we speak, how we lead.
The Gentle Boldness of Christ
I’ve always been gentle in my appearance—quiet, modest.
Yet lately, I’ve felt the pull to be louder, to be bolder.
But is that boldness from Christ?
Or is it the enemy in disguise, cloaking temptation in a counterfeit courage?
Perhaps true boldness for the Christian woman is not loud or flamboyant—
Perhaps it is a gentle boldness that reflects the strength of surrender, not self.
Scriptural Anchor
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach me to walk in both Grace and Truth.
Help me reflect You not only in my spirit, but in how I present myself to the world.
Let my beauty come from within—where You dwell—
And let my appearance never contradict Your glory.
Make me a woman of quiet strength, deep conviction, and eternal impact.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Final Word
So, yes—this journey began with nail polish.
But it became a deeper call to holiness and understand of modernity and how we relate to Word written and sealed unchanging in an ever so changing world.
May we, as women of God—and Rwandan women—return to the mirror of His Word and ask:
Does this reflect Him?
Because even in the smallest choices, we are building testimonies that echo through eternity.
The Biblical Mirror
In this moment of questioning, I found myself in the Book of Jeremiah.
It wasn’t just the false prophets that disturbed me—it was the mirror it held up to us: a people straying, losing our sacred sense of direction.
It felt deeply personal.
Yet even in correction, God speaks restoration.
The journey through Jeremiah led me to Lamentations, where grief births hope and brokenness gives way to clarity.
A Commission Within the Conviction
In these private reckonings, I heard a public calling:
God is preparing me—for more than just a wedding day, but for the Wedding Day both are true.
Not only for ministry, but for mentorship—raising women who know who they are in Christ, and who walk it out in both spirit and appearance.
And yes, inclusion is the forefront of it , God first but that includes how we dress, how we speak, how we lead.
The Gentle Boldness of Christ
I’ve always been gentle in my appearance—quiet, modest.
Yet lately, I’ve felt the pull to be louder, to be bolder.
But is that boldness from Christ?
Or is it the enemy in disguise, cloaking temptation in a counterfeit courage?
Perhaps true boldness for the Christian woman is not loud or flamboyant—
Perhaps it is a gentle boldness that reflects the strength of surrender, not self.
Scriptural Anchor
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach me to walk in both Grace and Truth.
Help me reflect You not only in my spirit, but in how I present myself to the world.
Let my beauty come from within—where You dwell—
And let my appearance never contradict Your glory.
Make me a woman of quiet strength, deep conviction, and eternal impact.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Final Word
So, yes—this journey began with nail polish.
But it became a deeper call to holiness and understand of modernity and how we relate to Word written and sealed unchanging in an ever so changing world.
May we, as women of God—and Rwandan women—return to the mirror of His Word and ask:
Does this reflect Him?
Because even in the smallest choices, we are building testimonies that echo through eternity.
Copyright 2025. Dare To Dream Fund Ministry. Rwanda. Kigali
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