Simply put- We were not created to be equal. BUT it doesn't mean you are weak gf (boys, too)

Hi, it’s been awhile! Ending the year was madness & I truly didn’t feel led to post anything to add thoughts to anyone’s already insane holidays. With that being said... I’m going to need you to put your seatbelts on for this one, it's a heck of a crazy ride.

I reference often about how society shapes us and inflicts ideas and ways of living upon us all the time. This just might be the thing that bothers me the most. In our current time, women are fighting for equality, a voice, independence and so much more. I’m thankful to live in a place where I have FREEDOM to do those things as well. However, I’m an aspiring God fearing women that knows my place in His name- in this world. Ladies, we are pushed & pushed to believe that “we don’t need a man” & that we “can do everything that a man can do” but the simple truth is that NO WE CANNOT. Stay with me, drink some tea if your blood pressure is rising.

!! Girls, we were not created equal to men. But this does not mean you're weak, useless, not important, not valued, not worthy. We can do things that men cannot- ALSO.

1 Corinthians 11:3

"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."

The Bible tells us that man needed a helper (the Greek translates to “lacking without something”) so God created a woman. It DOES NOT mean maid, sole cook, servant. I take full pride in being a woman, I do not find any weakness in that- and you shouldn’t either. We are to submit ourselves to our husbands because that is what God intends for our partnership. Does He mean that we are only good for bearing the children, cleaning, cooking, taking care of everyone? NOT AT ALL.

NOTICE:

1 Corinthians 11:9-11

9 "Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man." 10 "It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11 "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

Ladies don't read this as "Oh, so women were created just for the use of men" but see it as "Women were created because a man needs US" and that if two aren't independent of each other... they are DEPENDENT on each other

Along with being self-sufficient, independent, strong human beings... we are also created in God's image and have a heavenly role to play as females of the kingdom. THAT'S HUGE. The Bible calls us the "weaker vessel" (1 Peter 3:7). Am I telling you to take heart, be calm, and take pride in that? Yes I am. Some people think Christianity is a bunch of rules and what you can and can't do. That is wrong. Christianity is a relationship with a Heavenly Father that promises us good and blessings for those that love Him. It's not a scam, it's not slavery, it's not a give & get situation. It's up to you to believe that God is good, and it's up to you to believe that the Word is true.

Wanna know a couple tips to understanding God's word and interpreting the Bible?

#1 Study the attributes of God- the more you know about God's character and who He is, the more you will understand what you're reading and the more you will know His tone and meaning in scripture. (This is the reason I can read about women being the weaker vessel, being the helper, being submissive to her husband & not get upset or defensive- I KNOW God's intention for my role and I KNOW His heart. I know what He thinks of me, & I believe it.)

#2 Read your Bible. Read your Bible. Read your Bible. The more you read, the more you will find out. The more you find out, the more you will KNOW. About everything! Pray for wisdom! Knowledge will just start appearing in your head from out of nowhere about things you didn't know you knew about or cared about. Trust me.

I will never forget this story: One time I was walking out of a building on campus, & it was raining really hard. I was struggling to pull out my umbrella & get it open to walk in the rain. There was a guy several feet in front of me, and a girl really close behind him. He waited to hold the door for her and so clearly, without missing a beat, she said to him, “Do you think because I am a female that I can’t get the door in the rain for myself?” And just as you can imagine this poor guy’s face was stunned, hurt, & in shock. And I would say that I reacted the same. My initial reaction was anger!! I felt so led by anger that I caught up with him and thanked him for what he did. I told him not to let that discourage him from holding the door for anyone, especially women. I could not believe it, but this is what our world has come to.

"A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This isn’t an “I’m afraid of God” kind of fear. This type of fear refers to having a heart completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly with her life. She has a heart of reverence that overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom."- Lysa TerKeurst

Society tells us that we don’t need a man to hold open a door for us. Society wants women to be the face of the world- in beauty, success, independence, leadership, and so much more. I DO believe women are those things. But I don’t believe at all that the Bible states that is the main role of women, and I don't believe that the Bible says that we have to be, and do, those things to be praised and attain value.

Proverbs 31:10 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

There are things that we as women can do that there is no way a man would ever be capable of. That is a fact. That is VALUABLE. There are things that, within partnership including a woman--> is made so much easier. That is SPECIAL. There is great joy in holding the title of a woman because God decided we were needed for man. That is ESSENTIAL. We are valuable, special, and essential. Proverbs 31 is all about praise of women, check *clap* it *clap* out.

"It’s a chapter about a woman of valor. A courageous woman. A woman of strength and dignity." -Lysa TerKeurst

Ladies I will be the first to say that I can take care of myself. I don’t know another gal as stubborn, & independent as myself. I have spiritual leadership gifts. I’m not afraid of confrontation. I’m strong, I’m hard working, I’m capable of great things. NONE OF THIS is from society. I serve a God that I love, want to please, and want to fear. Nothing will bring me greater joy than being a teammate serving with my husband, being a leader for my children, an example for my students, a speaker for women, and strong advocate for people wanting to accomplish anything. I want to trust my future husband in leadership & guidance of our family but that DOES NOT mean he will be my boss, my owner, or my master. (We are NOT WEAK. We are not lacking. We are not missing out. We are not supposed to be silent. We are not just good for “house wife” ideals. So please, let's get rid of this idea that the Bible says this)

We have to stop letting society tell us the way of life, the norms, and what is expected of us because this ain't it yalllllllll!!!!!

I do believe men are superior in some ways, but I also believe that women are just as special in their own. The Bible is clear that men lead the women and children. I’m NOT offended by this. I want to be in union with my husband and a partner in every situation, but at the end of the day I want to trust him to make the best decisions for our lives and our family. That’s the role that the Bible has for me. It’s an HONOR to support, love, and respect men as God created; GIRLS we have the qualities that men don’t for these specific reasons. Don’t let society fool you and think that the Bible is bashing women. Women are set apart, precious like the church, so admired, valuable, loved, & cherished.

Proverbs 31:10-31

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain."

For the men: Don’t stop trying to pursue a woman because of fear. Wait for the woman who knows her value in the Lord, not the world. A godly woman prays constantly, in silence, and doesn’t fight to make her power & value known. She knows who she is because she knows WHOSE she is. Chivalry is not dead! Love always like Christ loves the church, that's part of your role.

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I really hope that you can sense the passion in my tone reading through this. I'm passionate because it's important! Male or female, you are loved so much that someone died to save you from the brokenness of the world. I don't know about you but I don't want to base the standards of my life with this imperfect world. Luckily, I know someone that is pure & holds my future so effortlessly in His hands. So that is where I will turn to before anything the world tries to sell me!

-R

some of my favorite women :)