Dear Christian Women: we too are called to Leadership; so, stop playing life small. Stop living in the shadows of insignificance. God has BIG plans for you and wants to do WONDERFUL things through you for HIS GLORY.
Growing up in the 1960s, in the “I am woman hear me roar” era, then becoming a Christian in the 70s at age 19 – created so much confusion in my thinking. I wanted to be a good Christian wife, a submissive wife but I also wanted to be all God called me to be. I read the Bible and everything else I could to teach me to be a Godly wife and mother. However, something always felt like it was not right in the things I read. In my opinion, not all the information in the books lined up with what I believed Scripture to be saying. I understand that we see and understand everything through our personal filters or lenses, so I just believed my filters were tainted by the crazy dysfunction I grew up in. So, I dismissed my gut feelings on the subject.
Over the years when Christian leaders preached that it wasn’t scriptural for women to lead anyone except other women or children – I struggle to believe that was truly of God. I searched the Scriptures, not to prove my beliefs but truly to understand His truth in the matter. However, no matter how hard I tried to see what they were saying, all that happened was it reinforced what I originally believed; that we were all created equal . . . and that I as a woman am just as important to God as a man.
That I have gifts and talents that God expects me to use for His glory and kingdom.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Instead of being satisfied with what I found, I was convinced I must still be not seeing clearly, so I prayed harder and asked God to help me understand and see His truth. I asked for Him to search my heart and open my eyes to the truth of His word. I asked to be led by the Holy Spirit.
However, I found my original beliefs were only reinforced by my study. Now I was faced with finding out what God wanted me to do with this information. I laid it at His feet and waited.
Fast forward through the years to a couple of weeks ago. I was at a Christian book study with other businesswomen. We read a book by an amazing Christian woman. At one point one of the participants in the study commented on how much she enjoyed the book and how refreshing it was to have a woman leader, who leads – like a woman. She went on to say how the women she knows in corporate leadership, lead like men. I commented that unfortunately, they never learned how to lead like a woman because the only examples they have are of men leading and books about men leading.
My friend said “Exactly!” She went on to say that she believes more women leaders – leading as women need to step up and write more on this subject. I agreed, not thinking I was one of the women that needed to write on this topic.
As soon as my friend had finished her comments, another woman pointed out that the author didn’t choose to publish a book. She assured us that the author’s only began writing blog articles because her husband had encouraged her to do so. Then he recently surprised her by turning her blog articles into a book.
The woman continued to tell us that the author at first didn’t want to publish the book. However, her husband persuaded her to allow them to publish it. Our facilitator said that the author argued about publishing the book because she would “never want to overshadow her husband by writing a book.” WHAT???? I was confused by that statement. Maybe I misunderstood what she meant. Because I couldn’t understand how using the gifts God gave you to bless the world can overshadow anyone, especially your husband?
Do we not become ONE when we marry? Isn’t a wife a part of her husband and a husband a part of his wife? Wouldn’t then when one shines, it shines light on the other as well?
This author has a gift for writing (and speaking) and wasn’t writing her blog articles to gain fame or glory. She was doing it to bless others.
I don’t believe God calls us to play small. Not using the gifts Gods gave us does not honor our husbands nor our God. But don’t take my word for this. Let us consider what the Bible says about this subject.
Before we do can we agree on 2 things?
- Would we agree that all Christians, male and female are all part of the body of Christ?
- Would we all agree as Christians that Scripture is for both male and female?
Okay then, let’s look at Scripture.
Corinthians 12:7-11 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
Romans 12:6-8 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with the faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.”
Exodus 35:10 “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded.”
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Romans 12:11 “Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”
1 Corinthians 4:7 “Who says you are better than others? What do you have that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why do you brag as if you did not receive it as a gift?” James 4:6 But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says, “God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
Hebrews 3:13 “Instead, continue to encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Romans 12:4-5 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone is a member of one of another.”
1 Corinthians 12:12 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also, is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
Exodus 28:2-4 “Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service. These are the garments they are to make: a chest piece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests.”
Exodus 36:1-2 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and finish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.” So, Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.
Matthew 25:14-21 “Similarly, it is like a man going on a trip, who called his servants and turned his money over to them. To one man he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, based on their ability. Then he went on his trip. The one who received five talents went out at once and invested them and earned five more. In the same way, the one who had two talents earned two more. But the one who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came up and brought five more talents. ‘Master,’ he said, “you gave me five talents.” “See, I’ve earned five more talents.” “His master told him, “Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, I’ll put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’”
Enough said?
I believe it is time for us to start being who God created us to be and start doing what God called us to do. The reason so many women leaders in the world lead like men, is because they don’t have enough Godly women leading by example. Whether it be due to wrong teaching in the church or home, or a simple misunderstanding of what Scripture says, we see few examples in the world. Women can and should lead – like the women God created us to be . . .and in doing so, we will be more effective in our leadership, doing more for His kingdom.
Simply Put by Lori
According to J. Lee Grady, “Gender bias runs deep in the church and has historically prevented women from fulfilling their leadership call. It’s time to dispel the myths about the role of women. Let’s open our eyes to what the Bible really says”.
Stay tuned for Part 2. I’m going to repost an article by J. Lee Grady
simplyputbylori 