Beginning in January 2017 and fast forwarding to March 8, 2017 the voices of twenty-first century society again shouted loudly to us as women to free or liberate ourselves from the bondage of our ancestors, “do our own thing,” demand equality, gain personal fulfillment in life regardless of the impact on others, and take control of our bodies. Writing on March 6, Madeline Farber of Fortune Magazine reported, “On Wednesday, women and men across the U.S. will participate in A Day Without A Woman—a movement that seeks to show the vital role women play in both the domestic and global economy. It also aims to bring attention to the lower wages, sexual harassment, discrimination, and job insecurity that women often face .” (http://fortune.com/2017/03/06/day-without-a-woman-strike-march-8/). Reflecting on her statement I was reminded of wisdom shared by Joseph Stowell:
It’s not that freedom is so wrong. Scripture validates the pursuit of freedom. Yet it directs the pursuit in a surprisingly different way. As Christ says, true freedom begins with restrictions.
We find this surprising definition of freedom in John 8:31-32, where Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Notice the sequence. True freedom is not doing whatever I wish. Freedom is the result of my actualizing Christ’s teaching, of restricting my life to that which is right and true.” (Joseph M. Stowell, Strength for the Journey, Day by Day with Jesus, (Chicago: Moody, 2002), 30).
Scripture is clear that God’s general purpose for all believers is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), bear fruit (John 15:1-11), walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26), exhibit conduct that reflects their salvation (Ephesians 4:1-3), be good stewards of all of their resources (1 Timothy 6:17-19), and eagerly anticipate His return (2 Timothy 4:8). If we want to be perceived as Wise Women we will not only cultivate a lifestyle that reflects God’s general purpose, we will eagerly search the Scriptures to discover His special instructions to us. A sampling of these Scriptures include:
Awareness that we were made by God in His own image (Genesis 1:27).
Designed to be a companion, helper, and an equal to her husband if married (Genesis 2:18, 21-24), content in the single state if unmarried (Philippians 4:11).
Embracing both graciousness (Proverbs 11:16) and discreetness (Proverbs 11:22)
Whether married or single, careful to build our houses following the way of wisdom described in Proverbs 9:1-6 (Proverbs 14:1).
Faithful to follow the examples of the women who walk through the pages of the Old and New Testament (1 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:1-6).
I encourage you to expand my list (John 5:39; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Each of these Scriptures point us to embracing Biblical femininity. It is my prayer that they will stimulate an appetite to commit to marching toward Biblical femininity.
The “Building a Culture of Biblical Femininity Conference in the Home, Church, and Community” October 5-7 on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will allow you to deepen your understanding of Biblical Femininity. If you would like to know more about the Conference contact me through the “Send Pat a Message” feature at the bottom of the Home Page. I am excited to introduce you to the Key Speakers. Once you have an opportunity to meet them Kelsey shares her response to one of the key issues of 2017 Women’s Marches. We pray that you will choose to join us in our March for Biblical Femininity in October!
To register for the conference, please follow the link below:
MARY LEE BAYLY
Mary Lee Bayly is the director of Women’s Ministries at Clearnote Church in Bloomington, Indiana. She and her husband Tim, who pastors the church, have been married for 41 years. They have 5 children and 21 grandchildren. Having fallen prey to the lies of feminism herself in younger years, she works earnestly to help women embrace their God-given calling as set forth in Scripture. When she is not taking care of grandchildren she is counseling women, reading, sewing, or attending births as a doula.
BARBARA HUGHES
Barbara Hughes is first and foremost a lover of Christ, wife, mother and grandmother. She has served the Lord alongside her husband in ministry for over fifty years. Her energies in this regard were devoted to the work of women's ministries, Bible study and hospitality.
Barbara is co-author and author of several books most notably, Disciplines of a Godly Woman. She has a passion for personal evangelism, gardening and oil painting.
RACHEL JANKOVIC
Rachel Jankovic is a wife to Luke, mother to seven busy children, and an occasional writer. She is the author of two books, Loving the Little Years, and Fit to Burst. She can usually be found up to her elbows in the work of feeding all the people she loves.
REBEKAH MERKLE
Rebekah Merkle has dabbled in a number of occupations ranging from running her own clothing label to designing fabrics to becoming a full-time high school humanities teacher. Author of Eve in Exile and the Restoration of Femininity, her proudest accomplishment is her crew of five high-speed teenagers. Her favorite role is that of wife to her similarly high-speed husband Ben. Click on this link to read a recent article: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/throw-like-a-girl
KELSEY’S KORNER
“It’s my body and I can do with it what I want!” This is the mantra for the women’s pro-choice movement that has taken the lives of 58.6 million unborn American babies since the 1973 passing of Roe v. Wade. For many Americans, that number means very little—after all, the aborted fetuses couldn’t have survived independently from the mother, which makes them not yet living or worth a second thought, right? However, for believers, that number brings tears to our eyes. What is it that causes such drastically opposing views between the secular world and believers on this issue? It is not science, politics, practicality, or tradition. Our worldview comes from the Word of God, where the implications for life and our own bodies are clear.
“You are not your own; for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20). These words strongly contradict the pro-choice mantra “it’s my body and I can do with it what I want”. One of the negative effects of the feminist movement has been the great struggle for independence that has stolen away the ability to find one’s identity and reliance in Christ.
“…in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). This “image of God” was uniquely given to humans and is what gives them their intrinsic, unmerited worth. This means that as soon as a child is conceived, he or she has worth—they are being formed in the likeness of God. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Genesis 9:6).
“For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14). The picture that comes to mind from this description is God intentionally, delicately, creatively, laboriously, and lovingly forming the tiny bodies of the unborn child. This should cause us to praise God along with the psalmist.
With the potential for our new president to overturn Roe v. Wade, and in light of the nearly 5 million women marching for the right to abort around the world, our Women’s Conference is arriving at a very sobering time. So, Women of God, let us take up our crosses and follow Christ, “seeing to it that no one takes (us) captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). See you there!
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
Jesus says, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8).
Therefore, I may boldly say, “the more I recognize my dependence on God, the more thankful I become, and the deeper my love for my Father grows.”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!