Celeste Deysel
Here’s something I never expected when doing research for this blog post. Answering the question “What does it mean to be a woman?” is not that straightforward anymore. Not for society anyway, and sadly for many Christians too.
We live in a society that challenges traditional values. Women can do anything men can do! Women can jump as high, earn as much, and compete with a man in any area she chooses. But to take a traditional role and make a comfortable home for a husband and raise children? Gross. That is not being a feminist.
“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen 1:27 NKJV)
Let’s just be clear. God is not confused about our role as women. He was not confused when He created us. Society, however, has muddied the water. Women are encouraged to compete with men, showing themselves to be tough and strong.
But women are not weak. They have never been.
The Bible is full of heroines of faith, virtue and grace. Never would I describe any one of them as weak. Was Zipporah weak when she circumcised her sons with a flint? (Ex 4:25) Was Deborah weak when she judged Israel? (Judges 4) In fact, later in the same passage we see Jael drive a tent peg through the temple of a sleeping Sisera, the head of the Canaanite army, which caused Canaan to be delivered into the hand of Israel. Was that weak? Rahab will never be described as weak when she hid the spies from Israel, risking her own life (Josh. 2). Have I mentioned the woman with the issue of blood who broke custom to meet Jesus? (Matt 9:20-22) Definitely not weak!
I can go on and on about strong, influential women from the Bible, but I want to focus on one woman specifically. Esther.
Now it is easy to assume that life was easy for Esther because she was beautiful and won the favour of Hegai, the king’s chief eunuch. (Es. 2:9). But that’s not really the case. You see, Esther was a Jewish woman living in as an exile in Babylon. The Jews were not well loved in their captive nation.
“Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known.” (Es. 2:10 NKJV)
Mordecai, her guardian, knew that Esther’s life might be in trouble if she had made known that she is Jewish. But Esther beat the Babylonian beauties to become queen. Yet despite being queen and enjoying the privileges, there was one action that was forbidden even to the queen- entering the king’s presence without an invitation to do so. Which is why her action to save a whole nation from extermination by entering the king’s presence without his bidding, is so extraordinary. She was afraid, but her fear did not overcome her.
Why focus on Esther specifically, you may ask? Because Esther highlights one thing that is true about all women: unique purpose.
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Es. 4:14 NKJV)
God did not make woman as an afterthought. He did not create us to be an accessory to a man. He did not create woman to be inferior to a man. God created us unique with our own roles and destinies. God made us just who we need to be for the role we need to fill in this world. He created us with purpose.
Realising our purpose as women means that we do not chase something not meant for us. I am not advocating for women to quit their jobs and become stay at home moms. In fact, we see many biblical examples of women working to support their households.
What I am advocating is this: a radical return to the One who created us. We must seek Him in all we do, that we may walk in the way (Is 30:21) and good works God prepared for us (Eph. 2:10). We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), just the way we are.
How do you realise your purpose as a woman? The simplest answer is to ask God. Pray about who you are meant to be. To become a Godly woman, we must seek more. After all: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7 ESV) Our seeking must not be done with vanity and for our gain, but for edification, upliftment and furthering God’s kingdom. Seek hard after Him by praying and studying the Bible.
Ladies, it is OK to be kind, graceful and vulnerable. Kindness is not weakness. Vulnerability is not inferiority. Softness is not powerlessness. Grace is not mediocrity. It is also OK to be intelligent, courageous, bold and hard working.
Do not stop pursuing God. Chase after Him until you can confidently say: Man, I feel like a woman.