Thursday, October 13, 2011

How do you like them apples?!

The Lord is really working on my heart lately; shaping me into the woman that He created me to be. He is using many different avenues and people to do this in my life.
When discovering what it means to be a godly woman, it is generally a good idea to look to God's word.
Every day, I get more and more peace and strength as I explore God's purpose for women.
God created us to be the helper. When I look at my own personality, I see the characteristics within me that would make me a helper: organized, efficient, caring, etc. I see how God has formed most women with the desire to nurture and care and be the support.
In the context of men, it is hard for women (especially in big bad America) to see themselves as the helper. Our culture has taken the word SUBMIT and camped-out there without looking at the beautiful context of submission. Before we are married (and also within marriage) we are to first submit to the Lord. This submission is a place of rest. Not a statement of value or worth, but rather of roles and responsibilities. As we find rest in our role as helpers, carrying a quiet strength, we become empowered to see God move in our lives.
But just as Eve was tempted to take control of her situation, daily we are faced with the opportunity to trust God or take matters into our own hands. Our sinful nature wants us to do the opposite of what the Lord has called us to. As women, called to entrust ourselves to the authority of another, we are daily tempted to take control.
Instead of viewing submission as constraining and demeaning, I am working on seeing it the way God intended, with peace and understanding.
Praying that today you can rest in the promises of God. He is your God. He is El Roi, the God who sees you (Gen 16). He knows your struggle to take control but it is precious to Him when He sees a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1-4).