Monday, November 22, 2010

Woman... God's Good Thing! - Introduction

Woman…God’s Good Thing

An In-depth Look into Femininity from Proverbs 31

Ever noticed how “it’s a boy” or ‘it’s a girl” seems to have lost its distinctiveness?  Not too long ago, there was a certain expectation that seem to accompany one’s sex.  Do you know what I mean?  There was a celebration over the specific sex of that child being born and an understanding as to what that new person would offer in their role to the family and society.  A boy would be celebrated as one who would bring strength and leadership.  He would carry the family name into future generations.  A girl would be celebrated as one who would bring beauty and nurturing.  She would be the one who would carry life in her very own body into future generations.

Oh that we could get back to the celebration of masculinity and femininity!  The gifting and ability that has been given to both sexes should be looked into with much appreciation, wonderment, and respect.  God has never once changed His idea of what is to be expected from His creation.  A little boy will grow up to be a man and God will hold him accountable according to His design and expectation for him.  A little girl will grow up and become a woman and God will hold her accountable to His design and expectation for her.  He places a high value on both male and female but has a required role for both of His design.

One thing that’s quite clear these days is that there is a lot of confusion as to what the design and role of a woman is.  The image of femininity has been somewhat distorted over time and our role models seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate.  There’s confusion in both the home and church as to what is the God given role for a woman.  Women want to know where the boundaries are and where would be crossing the line?  In just the last century alone the boundary for women was moved so many times that now we’re not sure where to stand.  Everything has been argued (without clarity or remedy) from women working outside the home to the length of our sleeve and the hem of our dress.  Yet still, most women try to fit into a mold of something we’ve heard or seen that looks or feels like it might be accepted.

So where is our help and where is our understanding?  As in everything else, it’s in the Lord who made the heavens and earth and all that is in it (yes, women too). The Bible is the complete authority and reference to what God had in mind when He made a woman. Femininity has its own personality, excellence, and skill.  Before we begin the next segment, look into the mirror and see “the woman” and understand that this is your identity.  Your identity is not what you do it’s what you are.  I will use myself as an example:  “I am a woman who happens to be a minister”, not “a minister who happens to be a woman.”  My identity is that I’m a woman.  My greatest fulfillment and pleasures in life will come from the things pertaining to women not ministers.  Therefore, occupying the earth will be centered on the fact that I am A Woman… Log on in two days as we begin our look into the life of the Proverb 31 Woman.

Loving U like a Sister,

Regina