It’s “man”istry month this month. That means that all the guys form a team and do ministry together. Leaving us women to ourselves to do “woman”istry. I have been on an all girl team since the beginning, so my race has always been “woman”istry month. It hasn’t been a bad thing at all. I’ve enjoyed the freedom of just being a girl, and being understood by other women. Being a girl is a hard thing in this world. With all the controversy going on with the potential of Hillary Clinton becoming president, and Donald Trump being called out for his sharp words toward women. I thought how blessed am I to have time to learn what it means to be a Godly woman in this world today.
I think being a woman is one of the most difficult things in the world. The statement is so true, “It’s a man’s world.” I question a lot where do I fit in in this world. What is my role or greater purpose as a woman. How can I help in the grand scheme of furthering God’s kingdom.
Most of you know that I am an artist. The art world is full of opinions and radical people. One very strong influence in the art world is feminism. In the Christian world its controversy to call yourself a feminist. I have always felt torn between these two worlds. I get the feminist standpoint. I, as a female, want to be heard. I want to be looked at as a strong independent woman. I want to be viewed as capable. I don’t want to be seen as weak or just a prize. The Christian woman or, the one that has been perceived, is relatable as well. I want to be kind. I want to be pure in heart. I want to raise children. I want to be meek. I want a man to lead me. Both worlds have valid points, but somewhere along the way instead of melding and respecting each other. They have began to fight each other and put each other down.
Unfortunately, the church has done a disservice to all women. While they focus on what we are wearing, how loud we talk, how many opinions we have, or how our children are behaving. They have missed the point. They have missed what we were created for. There is a reason we are beautiful creatures. There is a reason we are relational and talk to everyone. We as women are created in God’s image too. We carry traits of him that men do not.
If we look at the example of women in the Bible we find strength, beauty, grace,and gentleness. We find women like Esther that saved the Jewish people because of her beauty and because she was brave enough to stand up. Women like Deborah that because no man would lead, she decided to lead the army into the battle. Jael drove a tent peg into a man’s head to help the Jewish people. The women of the Bible contradict the women we see today.
The first time God said something was not good in His creation was when he realized Adam was alone. “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Then he created Eve. He created women. He felt like the world was incomplete and we were the last piece. Genesis also says that “I will make a helper suitable for him.” If you look up the original word for helper in Hebrew you find ezer. Any other time the word ezer is used in the New Testament it is referring to coming to someone’s rescue. God created women to bring aid to men, to be their helper, protector, and strength.
We are made to be fierce. Just because we are made differently than men does not mean we are less capable. We have this unique opportunity to reach people with the traits God has mirrored in us. We can use the gentleness to wipe tears away. The softness to calm an anxious soul. Our beauty to capture a room. Our relational spirit to know someone’s heart. God has designed us like Him. With a purpose to reach those who don’t know Him differently than a man does.
For all the women out there that feel like they are striving. That they have to live up to a picture someone has put in there head. Please stop. God has made you for such a special purpose. He will use you just how you are because he made you that way. He loves you more than that boy ever could, and will always love you more than anyone can.
My heart is that we step into it. Step into what God has for us. Stop worrying what they think. Stop trying to be what they need. We have eternity set in our hearts let’s strive for that. Let’s be the women the Bible actually tell us to be. Women of faith. Women of strength. Women that love with no ends. Obedient to our Father. Let’s let Him romance us and show us what it means to be loved.
Much love,
Raychel
