What does it mean to be a woman?
If I’m honest, I’ve never really given this controversial question much thought. In all my years of Social Justice work, I’ve never considered myself a feminist. I’ve also never really explored the impact of gender on my life with the same tenacity as race, economic class, and faith.
If I’m honest again, I may have gone my entire life without pausing long enough to discover just how significant being a woman is. As I’ve walked through inner healing over the past few years, I recognize that much of my brokenness and pain stemmed from issues unique to women. And even when being a woman didn’t mean much to me, it’s always meant something to God.
He [God] is not interested in intimacy with the woman you think you are supposed to be. He wants intimacy with the real you.
Much of my life has been a constant striving to “not” become a certain kind of woman. I remember six year old me making a vow to never rely on a man and to take care of myself. I despised women I viewed as weak and prided myself on my independence. I judged women who cried all the time and couldn’t “hold it together.”
Security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus.
In my attempts to be a strong woman, I found myself in much bondage. In hopes of never being hurt, I did everything I could to protect myself. I built a fortress around my heart that I was terrified of ever letting down. I never put myself in a position of having to rely on others out of fear that I would be let down…again. I just had to be that woman. Strong. Put-together. Full of answers. In control. There was never peace of mind in this life. There was never any joy. Only confusion, bitterness, and constant {in}security.
As I’ve gotten to know Jesus, this “ideal” woman I’ve spent so much of my life striving after has lost all appeal. She’s not what I want. She’s not what the world needs.
I’m still in the process of figuring out what this all means to me, but I do know that the more I press into what God says about me as a woman, the more healing, hope, and freedom I find. As I write that I laugh at my old self who would have NEVER thought liberation as a woman would come from Jesus! The more I see God’s heart and the way Jesus completely shattered cultural norms to include, affirm, and honor women; I am blown away once again by the Father’s perfect love. God made man and woman in His image and it’s been one exciting journey seeing just how uniquely crafted women are. Just how we reflect an image of God that men can’t and aren’t meant to. Oh how the world misses out when we try to be like men instead of embracing the beauty, mystery, compassion, wisdom, relational spirit, and tenderness of a woman. These are all attributes of God and oh how He loves to see His reflection in a woman!
I simply loved feeling wanted and fought for. This desire is set deep in the heart of every little girl-and every woman.
Over the past year people asked me “have you ever thought of working with women,” while some more boldly asserted “since you have a heart for women, you should look into this.” I confidently responded, “What?! I don’t have a special desire to help women.” Over the past year, I see God clearly shifting my heart’s desire to fight for women. As I look back on the Race, a big part of my experience was doing this very thing. As a team leader I got to walk alongside the journeys of nine women. In this very moment He is giving me a deep love for women and the perfect opportunity to live this out in my work!
A woman becomes beautiful when she knows she’s loved.
Let me briefly introduce you to one part of my work with Adventures in Missions: Beauty for Ashes!
Beauty for Ashes (B4A) is a women’s ministry that was birthed through Kingdom Journeys. The mission of B4A is to let women know how deeply loved they are by the Father and empower them to step into the unique roles God has for them in the world. The B4A Retreat has been facilitated all over the world and gathers women to tell their stories (primarily through drawing). In this space of vulnerability, forgiveness, and fellowship- hope is stirred and God is able to speak truth into their pain, loss, and lies. Community among women is deepened as they realize they are not alone and local leaders are empowered and equipped to continue these conversations.
Beauty for Ashes from je scott on Vimeo.
For the first time ever women World Racers are invited to participate in the Beauty for Ashes retreat prior to the start of Training Camp! Starting today 60 women are coming to participate in this transformational space. I definitely wish I had such an opportunity before I launched on the World Race! It is such a blessing to be a part of this experience for women Racers and I’m so excited to see how much more God can do in their lives after such an encounter. For the past three weeks I’ve worked with the Retreat Director (my supervisor) to plan this event. I’ll also be helping with the day-of coordination and even facilitating a couple of sessions!
All I can say is I’m so excited and can’t thank you enough for partnering with me in such a wonderful work! I am grateful to finally see that I can’t fully be “me” without embracing the fact that I am a woman. I want to be a part of other women’s journeys to not stop at the pain and heartache that comes with that fact; but to find joy, peace, and even comfort in being a woman. And I pray that we all come to know the depths of God’s love as He offers us “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3)!
Is there a part of yourself or life experience you haven’t explored? What does God say about it? How can it be used in service of others?
How you can pray for us!
- Pray that the girls’ hearts are prepared to go deep
- Pray that the facilitators get divine insight and wisdom and gentleness to speak into the girls’ lives
- Pray that we all feel the Holy Spirit and His peace as we pull this thing off
- Pray for safety in travel and during the retreat
- Pray for complete victory against any schemes of the enemy
- Pray that a large number of participants will choose to be trained to facilitate the retreat on the field.
- Pray that it will be fun!
*All bolded statements are quotes taken from “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul” by John & Stasi Eldridge.
MAKE A DONATION: I am need of $2,850 to meet my next deadline for the Adventures Fellowship Program. My next deadline of November 1st is approaching quickly. If you are able to support me financially, click “SUPPORT ME” on the left to make a tax-deductible donation. Or, cut out the small online processing fee by mailing a check to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Checks should be made out to “Adventures in Missions”
***Put “PERKINSSHATERIKA” in the memo line of the check!!!!!***
