A QUESTION I OFTEN USED TO ASK MYSELF

I had a video sent to me by a friend. It was called ‘Mix - to the sisters, mothers and all kinds of women in my life.’ (you can find it on youtube. It has a picture of lavender and a key on it).  It had a list of women God has used and blessed throughout the bible. They were all different, but all had a strong faith.

Until recently, I thought that God loved men more than women because they are the main focus throughout the bible, and women traditionally, even in the bible, were treated as less than men. Sometimes they seem to be considered more like cattle than people. (I’m thinking of the kings who had houses full of *concubines, whose main function is to provide heirs and give men pleasure but have no rights or status -Disgusting!!). But I have gradually realised that this is not God’s way but mans. When you read about the women listed below, you realise that God hears them, sees their situation, and helps them, just the same as he does men, because they trust in him. His focus is on their faith, not their bodies.

The early church had female leaders and were, as far as I can tell, considered equal with men and just as deserving of respect. It is a point that has got lost over time.  

I think I have said before that men are the head of their family, but that does not mean that they should dominate and oppress their wives and children. It means that God expects them to lead their family into right standing with God and teach them good behaviour, generosity, and kindness to others. They should do this by example – not with a stick! A woman cannot respect a man who beats her or her children into submission.

Women have their part to play. They should help their husbands, and, also teach their children by their example of faith and of living. Now this doesn’t mean that men should work and make all the decisions, and women stay home and be grateful. It means that between them both, they work and support each other to be good spouses, parents, and members of their community. This may mean that the women work because they have better paid jobs, or maybe even because they are better suited. Not all women are suited to be stay at home mums, just as not all men are suited to being out at work. Sometimes it works best when the roles are swapped or when they both share the roles, i.e. both have part time jobs and take care of the children and home when the other is at work.  

In my mind, each couple should find out what works best for them and support each other throughout their lives. And we should not judge each other by our own ways, but God’s.

What is most important to God? That we love him with our whole being, that we trust him, and that we love each other as much as we love ourselves. This is his criteria. Love, faith and trust!

I believe he blesses men through their wife’s faith as much as the wife through their husband’s faith. I believe my family has been blessed through my faith and will continue to be blessed, and I continue to pray for my husband and my children and grandchildren.

Whatever situation these women found themselves in, they acted wisely by entrusting their situation to God, sometimes taking risks, and always doing their best.

The women named in the video are; Sarah, Rebekah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, Dorcus.

He sees your situation, he sees you, he sees your faith – pray continually, trust him, and live in love with those around you and he will hear you and bless you.

This is how I understand my God,

Read for yourself, see what you think.

*Concubine means: (in polygamous societies), a woman who lives with a man but has a lower status than his wife or wives/a mistress.