WHAT A BLESSING,
GOD MADE YOU A WOMAN
By Stephanie Sweet
It has always struck me as odd when I've heard women make comments like, "if I was a man or "men have it easier or "I wish I was a man. On some level, I guess I can relate to these sentiments, but in all honesty, I have always been grateful, that God made me a woman. What an awesome affirmation: God made me a woman. In His wisdom, this is what He saw when He created me; when He created females. As it states in Genesis 1, we were made intentionally in His image. Not merely a human being but a female, in His image. If you consider how significant and purposeful this decision was, it might make you reflect on your own attitude of what womankind represents.
When describing a woman, I've heard pretty interesting comments. For some, women are synonymous with beasts of burden, perpetually working to assure the pleasure and comfort of others. Many may state that women are the vessels for life as they were specifically designed to bring forth children. Still others may even suggest that woman is the consummate temptress as their belief is the downfall of man has always been because of one. In light of documented history, there lies a modicum of truth to these representations of womankind, but even collectively they paint a pastel picture of the human female created by God. In my opinion, many characterizations of woman to date greatly under- or misrepresent the expansive nature of what women are and were intended to be. Remember, we, too, were created in His image. The Author of life, the Creator of order, the Controller of time, the definition of love, the meaning of wisdom, the One who dispels all darkness and the Provider of peace; in His image we were made. Stop for a minute and think of a tree. Now define it. Okay, most will think of its branches, leaves, roots, height, fruit, etc. Now add some depth to it: it provides shade, it sways with the wind, it's home to birds, mammals and insects, it drains sap. Now add more: its leaves and bark can have medicinal purposes, it can be used for lumber to build boats and homes, provides paper for a multitude of uses, it can be used for fuel. Now consider the variety of trees and their individually unique properties; this list alone is expansive. I've only made a short list and this is a pretty impressive organism! God made them. Now stop and imagine the multitude of characteristics He might bestow upon an organism that he created in His image. Blows your mind, right? Trying to define a woman in a one-dimensional context now seems glaringly ridiculous, huh? The same must be said when defining the nature of men.
So why does that even matter to me? Because, women have grown to accept that their value is linked to images created by the world. God himself whom she was created by defined a woman's value. For the salvation of womankind, this concept has to be realized. For centuries, women have struggled with roles assigned to them based solely on gender and have rarely appreciated the autonomy typically commanded by men. Our Creator provided humankind with gifts and talents intended to bless the world and each other; this provision was given to both men and women. For His purpose, everything came to be and He stated it was very good. Women must learn to see themselves in this light, His light. Because His light is the absolute truth, then His intention for the creation of womankind was for good. Hear this, women of God, you were created for His good. His good did not culminate in your sexual appeal. His good did not rest in your attachment to a man. His good did not peak once you gave birth to children. His good did not flourish because of your works. No, His good was exemplified in His creation of females and His choosing to place His image in you. He didn't decide woman was good after she had done anything special; her existence as a woman in His image was very good. Not just knowing, but accepting and living this reality is the beginning of your journey to freedom.
The freedom of which I speak occurs once you've been cleansed of any deception designed to minimize your true place as an equally loved and important child of the Most High and align yourself with Him. God truly loves his daughters. While, some of you may be saying, "uh, yeah, many women do not believe it, let alone live it. I know this, first, because I had to allow Him to cleanse me of the many misconceptions and perceived shortcomings that I assumed over the years, and second, because of the barrage of women I have cared for in the last two plus decades with similar misunderstandings. Sure, being a so called baby boomer, some of my "lessons were a result of the era in which I was raised, but as a gynecologist, I am uniquely placed in an arena where I am a witness to the continued miseducation of younger generations. Thankfully, by His grace, I now know God created females for good in His image and did not intend for our pre-selected gender to be our fate. By His wisdom, I have been aptly positioned to guide women to His freedom, to His light.
The journey to His freedom isn't short, easy or always comfortable but the reward is becoming who you were intended to be in His image. The toughest part is developing the determination to accept your divinely given nature and letting go of whom you have been in the world. Amazingly, (well we are talking about God) your femaleness won't be the most remarkable component of your being. Seriously, it won't be your hair, complexion, nails, figure, nor eyes even though He made them all. The most exquisite attribute will be His light beaming out of you! What could compete with that? I'm sure you have seen glimpses of His light in you already like in those moments when you are amazed with how clever, forgiving, generous, merciful, nurturing, strong, focused, creative, confident, fearless or peaceful you have been, sometimes with minimal effort. Others have seen it too, which led some to approach you while it repelled others. Trust, this light is not under your control for it is your reflection of the Lord. It is His grace that provides the quality of the light but we can influence how often we allow it to be released through us. When we close our hearts, His light in us may not be as bright. If we don't make deliberate daily efforts to being open to God's love and guidance as He intended, our path to freedom will remain overshadowed by darkness.
Since the dawn of humankind there have been immeasurable distractions and valleys for us to navigate including pride, greed, anger, lust, jealousy and hate. Because we have too frequently chosen to hoof it alone, many succumb to the pressures that result such as anxiety, depression, insurmountable debt and being marginalized. Thankfully, because He is merciful and defines love, He sent us a redeemer, Jesus the Christ, through whom we all have the opportunity for salvation from it all. Don't get me wrong, life isn't always a cakewalk when you know the Lord, but the peace in trusting He is in control of it all and involved in the tiniest of details provides needed solace in all circumstances. He can and wants to order your steps. I implore you to let your journey to the Lord's freedom begin.
When I began my journey, I admit, my understanding of God was pretty superficial but by His grace it has grown. I've learned that my survival is dependent on the continued development of my relationship with Him so I have learned to bond with the Lord daily. This coveted relationship drives me to pray, speak to Him throughout the day and read and re-read His word. Remembering it is a relationship, I also have to listen, be receptive of His will and give thanks for His blessings. My reading early on proved to be God's grace in action in my life for I became intrigued with the relationships Jesus established with women. (I encourage you all to scour the Gospels, read them all for yourself and ask Him for understanding.) I found the importance of these scriptures was not only to help me with my life and my struggles with the subjugation of women but also to prepare me for my call: speak of His peace and salvation to womankind.
This direction of my walk with God began several years ago when I first spoke His words of healing and guidance to patients. It captured my attention because the statements would drift into areas of their lives that needed clarity or healing which I was completely unfamiliar with. The dramatic impact it would have on their spirit made it obvious that His voice spoke to them through me. It took me awhile to understand the purpose of these moments, but I came to appreciate them as a ministry. My call to expand the ministry was initially met with my own reservation, mostly out of fear, but with continued prayer for guidance God provided comfort and confidence in an ingenious way. While ministering to patients, it became clearer that some of the messages were equally directed at me! Very commonly I would grab the tissue box for my patients but now I'd be crying along with them truly overwhelmed by how He was touching me! Can you say, "Awesome God? Once I was on board, in my usual ˜get ˜er done' fashion, I took the ball and was attempting to run with it. Funny thing is I felt like I was getting nowhere, truly running in circles. Sure the ministry with the patients continued on a daily basis but my vision included me reaching women around the world! (You caught me saying ˜my' vision, ha!) Gradually, sometimes with difficulty, I learned to trust that if this was in His will, He would provide direction at the appropriate time. By His grace I am learning obedience, patience, humility as well as fearlessness. Thankfully, He has revealed that my desires are aligned with His and I am sharing my understanding of His devoted love for His daughters in this writing. I embrace this next phase of my journey and I pray that my freedom walk will inspire yours with the Lord and your walk will inspire others.
By His love we live
In His peace we stand
By His grace we move forward