Over years of going to church meetings I've been to dozens and dozens of ' ladies' events. Everything from women only housegroups to conferences and residential weekends away. I have absolutely nothing against these gatherings - there is definitely a different atmosphere when women meet together and its good to be able to take time with each other to bless and encourage and teach and learn. But one thing which drives me mad is the assumption that as a woman I have low self esteem , am lacking in confidence and need God to reassure me all the time. I don't.
I'm longing for the day when a women's group sits down to look at how we can all be Deborahs or Jaels or Esthers. How we can take our ordinary lives and become extraordinarily influential women in our nation. How we can strike terror into the hearts of our enemies and be so known for our wisdom and righteous judgements that leaders and rulers seek us out for our counsel. I've never attended a ladies day which has this sort of focus. 😊 I've been to plenty which talk about how we need to have a greater sense of self worth and not beat ourselves up about being too busy to pray.
Most women mentioned in the Bible were awesome. Given the cultural restrictions of their day they
made such a huge impact that they got a mention in the writings which became Scripture - ( written by men for men to read. ) I was thinking about Ruth this week - what a woman! Hard working, brave, compassionate, loyal, determined and wise. She didn't have to take care of her mother - in - law , but she chose to, and as a result ended up in a field of strangers doing back breaking work in the heat of the day just to put food on the table. She wasn't too proud to take her mother-in-law's advice, she was fit enough to do the hard physical labour , she was canny enough to realise that Boaz was a good catch. She was lovely enough to come to his attention and obedient enough to come under his authority. Ultimately she got a mention in the genealogy of Jesus. Even though she was a foreigner.
Women in the Bible come in all shapes and sizes. Some are born Queens, most are not. Some are faithful, prayerful, devoted ladies with hearts after God. Others are prostitutes and outcasts and sinners. But so many of them change the course of history when they encounter God and His people. Many of them do it through being mothers - bringing into the world, and then bringing up, men who will be leaders and rulers and kings. But some of them do mighty exploits for God themselves. I want to be one of those women who is not constantly apologising for existing. Not ashamed, or afraid or self- absorbed. Give me a tent peg and an enemy to slaughter. Give me an army to lead, a nation to save, a church to plant, a miracle to witness.......
And to the men reading this.....
Don't underestimate the God who promises to be within me at break of day. Because of Him I will not fall. Neither will you. Together we've got this!
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