As women, we wear many hats. In the traditional sense, as homemakers, we are responsible for keeping order, decorating, cooking, cleaning, setting the tone of hominess, whatever that means, and usually, raising children. Not all women hold these tasks to be self-evident, but in addition, they may, as I did my whole life, work outside the house as well. That brings additional duties and responsibilities and opportunities.
Fortunately, God created women with the ability to multi- task or they would not be able to function. Other things are learned behaviors. Women naturally see the world in color and design, often (but not always) enjoy order, love to bring things from nature into the home, and are innately creative. It’s in our genes, so to speak. And speaking of speaking, women usually succeed in language-oriented activities: making small talk, dispensing wisdom, carrying on conversation, and organizing thoughts in writing, presenting, and taking in information. They listen well, consider ideas, and then are ready to share what they’ve learned.
From what I read in the Bible, women were not necessarily leaders, certainly not in the church, but were instrumental in accomplishing tasks of service. Proverbs 31 outlines the perfect wife, for instance, and among other things, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” That about sums it up. She also cares for the sick, served in synagogues, and brought their children to Christ.
But Jesus changed the traditional role of women and elevated our status, unlike other religions and cultural practices. First, we learn that a group of women traveled, and no doubt served the traveling band of disciples. Secondly, they opened their homes to the early church. Third, they often discipled others, and Jesus elevated women’s status as “influencers” in the faith. When God needed them, they were prophetesses until the Holy Spirit became part of believers’ hearts at Pentecost. And women stood at the crucifixion and were ready to prepare the body of Jesus. And to women came the outstanding role of discipleship, of ambassadorship, as they ran from the empty tomb and told of the resurrection.
In My Psalm 323, I speak to the role of Discipleship. This is not isolated to women, but from my perspective:
MY PSALM 327 DISCIPLING
Almighty Father, Savior of the world,
I come with thanksgiving for the joy of my salvation.
Without Jesus, I wandered, hopelessly lost in this world
Without purpose
Without direction
Without strength
To face life.
Because You sent my personal cloud of witnesses
To show me Your love,
My life is now Yours,
And You have made me new.
Thank You for sending me people who know You
To teach me Your ways.
Thank You for Your Church, Your Bride.
Thank You for pastors, teachers, worship leaders,
But mostly for friends who know Jesus
And care enough to share that love with me.
I had no idea.
It is as if shackles have been removed.
It is as if scales are gone from my eyes,
And my ears hear Your truth.
My heart has been changed by Your Spirit,
And I find strength each day to go on living.
Thank You for Your Word, truth I never knew.
Thank You for the prayers
Of those committed to my teaching.
Thank You for new lessons learned each day
And for insight which explains
That this indeed is Your world.
Thank You for those journeying with me
Along new pathways,
For I am learning as a child, small steps
But giant leaps forward.
Your word tells me of Your love
Which I now embrace through those discipling me.
Thank You that You have sent them to me
As guides, for I’m learning how much it cost You
To save someone like me.
You gave Your Son, Jesus, to die for me
So that I can live eternally.
All praise to Your Name.
I bow in humility, as one so unworthy,
Yet I have inherited the Kingdom
Through Your grace and mercy
And I am eternally grateful.
All praise to Your Name. Amen.
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