Friday 3 January 2014

Women of God Series


“What does it mean to you to be a woman of God in the 21st Century?”

        Over the next few weeks and months I’ll be posing this question to a whole variety of women with different backgrounds, careers and faith paths, but a common desire to follow the Lord wherever He leads them.



        The beauty of humanity is that no two people are the same. God created each and every one of us with different appearances, skills, characteristics and desires. But there are some struggles which all of us face, and desires that all of us hold. This is an opportunity to take comfort from the fact that you might identify with some of these women, and be reassured that you are not alone in your battle through life. 

        It is also a chance to hear where God has been seen in these battles, and how each of these women have used their unique strengths to overcome them, as well as their own observations about what it means to be a woman of God. 

       We’ll be hearing testimonies of God at work, experiences of challenges faced, traits observed in other women and strategies for staying true to our God amidst the difficulties the world brings. Sometimes it's not easy to live up to the Proverbs 31 ideal. No woman is perfect! But we'll be exploring how to reconcile being a woman of God with being a woman in the world.

       We often talk about the need to be a ‘strong woman’, but it’s a sad truth that the phrase ‘strong woman’ tends to draw images of a bossy, domineering, head-strong woman determined to fight for what she wants. Yet what makes a woman truly strong is becoming the person she was created to be, rather than fighting to be the person society tells her she should be. To me, a strong woman is one who embraces her femininity, discerns the plan God has for her and accepts it with open arms. A woman who works hard to be the best she can be at the things she was specifically made to do – whether that be a high-powered career, ministry work, or raising a family. Heart-strong.

       Whatever you do in life, if it is in line with God’s plan then it will offer fulfilment. That is what really matters, regardless of earthly measures of success. I find it so inspiring to hear about the incredible things the women around me are doing, from ministering to a far-away nation, to raising a beautiful family. I hope you will be equally inspired by this series, and empowered to just be YOU.



3 comments:

  1. I love this idea, Esther! I can't wait to read what everyone has to say.

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  2. Thanks :) you'd be more than welcome to take part! Email me at esther.rich@ccc.ox.ac.uk if you'd like more info, or some starter questions...
    xx

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