Woman... the glory of man

As a woman, I have always been befuddled by so many of the passages in the Bible that seem to diminish the value of women, particularly the passage that calls man the "glory of God" and woman "the glory of man." Why don't I get to be the glory of God, I wonder? Am I not glorious enough? But lately, my perspective on these passages and what was meant by them has started changing. First of all, I think one thing we should all realize as women is that we are beautiful. This is a beauty that God put in us from the very beginning. Outward beauty is one part of that, yes, but the beauty of strong character, good morals, and a kind heart are what God truly treasures. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. This is our glory, as a woman, and it makes us the glory of man... pretty cool when you look at it that way. When you think about churches all over the world and throughout history, there are both men and women involved, of course. But I can't help but think about the little grass roots gatherings in people's homes, under a tree, sometimes held in secret. These types of worship settings are so often led and supported by mostly women. In impoverished areas, many families are led by the women. Women are caring for the children and supporting the family and doing the housework. And it is these very women who show up at prayer meetings faithfully, giving out of what little they have to show their gratefulness to the Lord. Don't you think God smiles upon these beautiful, hardworking, faithful women? Yes, woman is the glory of man.

When I think back to the days of the early church, there were no big, corporate worship services. It was all grass roots. Starting from the very bottom. I imagine there were some strong, hardworking, faithful women involved in those churches. It may be that in those early days, faith in God was more attractive to women than to men, because of the emotional connection they felt with God and each other through the Holy Spirit, whereas men can sometimes be more drawn to a belief or faith that demonstrates strength and power and authority (these are definitely offered in full to believers, but that side of faith may have taken more time to manifest itself under the persecutions and trials facing the early church). God clearly desires both man and woman to be equal parts of His church, and this leads me to believe that the teachings we read in the Bible were meant to help the readers achieve that balance. If woman is taking too much of a dominant role, some of the women should step back and let the men take some of the lead, and vice versa. In a marriage, if one partner charges out ahead of the other, then some adjustments must be made. Men and women are so different (I think we can ALL agree on that) and there is just no way that the church can function without one or the other.

This idea is something that I really want to impress upon the young girls here in Malindi. There are some women here that are so strong and beautiful and smart and they are well on their way to making this world better. What if we encouraged more young women to grow up and reach the potential that was placed in them by God? Mountains would move, hearts would be softened, and we might just see the kingdom of God brought here to earth, because His kingdom needs its women to stand up and claim their inheritance. Only together with both men and women, can we receive the promise of God, life to the fullest.

Somehow, over the years, it seems that Christians have given the impression that God favors men over women. Let me just tell you, as a Christian woman, what I believe about that. I believe that God sees me and knows me and loves me, just the way that I am. I believe that he created me perfectly, and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I believe that what makes me a woman brings glory to Him, as He is the one who created woman to be the glory of man. I am His crown, His jewel, His most treasured possession. When I am lost, He leaves everything to come and search for me and bring me back into His arms. When I am found He and I dance together and our hearts swell with happiness. He loves everything that makes me a woman, for I am made in His image. He loves everything that makes me, me, for I am made in His image. Where He goes I will go and where He stays I will stay. There is nothing to fear and nothing to dread, for I am completely His. And don't tell anybody else this, but I'm His favorite ;)