Enter Womanhood II

Okay, so in my last post, I talked about how our God-given role as women is to encourage men to Godliness, by our attitudes, our actions, and our walk with God, in all purity and humility.

The question was brought up about Deborah (you can read about that in last post's comments), and how she was a prophetess, an oracle, and Israel's judge. God raised her up to meet the need of Israel, just as He wants to raise up those who serve Him today into positions of leadership. The key is, that we remember our God-given role when we are in those positions, and don't exalt ourselves, lording it over those under us (which can be easy to do sometimes).

During our single years, we might live at home or abroad. The key is that we are in tune and in submission to our fathers (or those in authority over us), who God put there for our protection and guidance. I know that this goes against everything the world is teaching today, however,
we must remember Romans 12:2:

"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may  be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God...for the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

~ 1 Corinthians 7:34; 11:3, 8, 11-12 ~

This doesn't mean we're helpless or weak. No, looking at Proverbs 31, a virtuous woman (v.17) "girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms".

She is also obviously smart-thinking, as (v.11-12) says: "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

Patriarchal Daughterhood. A friend passed the following post onto me earlier this year which I found highly interesting and right on. Some of you might take offense with it because of modern influences which has sought to permeate Christianity as a whole (specifically submission and femininity), but bear through to the end, and I think, if you search the Scriptures, you might see it is right on as well.

I myself, have been blessed to be raised in a home where my father does have a vision, which we actively help support, but my daddy also encourages us girls to follow Christ in the passions and visions He has given us. For me, that has included: midwifery mission work in the Philippines twice, becoming an EMT, working as a nanny and housecleaner, discipling girls near and far, and many other various opportunities.

I have seen too many girls focus on "marriage" as the end goal, versus having Christ as their end goal, whether that includes marriage or not. My mother wanted to get married right out of high school at 17, but God didn't bring my father (who is younger) until she was 27. Though God definitely used those 10 years for His purposes, she wishes that she would have been more prepared for whole-heartedly, full-focusedly serving God during that time, for as Paul says, the focus on unmarried women is different than those who are married.

In essence, the bottom line is: Whether you serve at home, in your community, on the mission field, or in your own house, make Jesus Christ your priority, and seek to serve and follow Him, while also honoring your father and mother (and their wise counsel), that your days might be long on the land that the Lord God has given you.
Though it might be (very) hard at times, God blesses us when we honor our parents. That includes housing decisions, marriage decisions, various opportunities, etc.

Thus, this concludes my 'womanhood contemplations' for now. I am still learning, growing, and seeking God, and would love to converse on this, as it is almost a lost art in our current generation.

God is the giver of righteous passions and visions. If He has given it to you, as you seek Him and walk life His way, He will enable you to live that vision out, and He will give peace regarding it to your authorities. And if you lack a vision (or faith to walk that vision out), ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.

Let us purpose to be Dorcas' (or Tabithas), Ruths, Rachel, Leahs, Marys, Sarahs, Deborahs, and Priscillas. Let us seek to live life to the fullest with the purpose of serving God.
I pray that God uses this to encourage others, as so many other have encouraged me.

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

~ Proverbs 31:30-31 ~