As Christians, especially as Christian women, we often diminish ourselves, don’t we? We shy away from celebrating or even acknowledging our accomplishments, our wisdom and insight, even our value within the church. Why is that?
I think it’s because we’ve been taught that pride is bad and sinful. I think it’s because we don’t have many examples of women holding their place at the table until more recently. But here is what I think….God did not make us to be shrinking violets! He is using us in significant ways! We are important to him and He knows our value and strength! He has always and will continue to call women to do His work! So why do we have such a hard time owning that?
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
In the last year, I have found many reasons to be proud of myself. Not the arrogant, bragging, selfish, puffed up kind of proud, but the kind of pride that happens when you conquer fears, when you’ve done hard work with FAITH and come out stronger for it! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating accomplishment in this way, especially if we are recognizing God in it!
And then there’s the pride we feel for those we love. When our children are caught being kind and loving to others….PROUD! When our spouse earns a promotion or serves someone in need…PROUD! When our sisters in Christ find a rightful seat at the table…PROUD! This is the kind of pride that is actually a reflection of our LOVE. And we thank GOD for these moments. This isn’t arrogant, this is a result of our love and appreciation for those God has given us!
I’m not saying humility is a bad thing…but it can be I suppose. Too much of anything isn’t a great idea, right? When we think too little of ourselves and diminish our worth, aren’t we also diminishing what God has done? Shrinking who He is? We are created in His image, after all, and that’s nothing to minimize! When girl power is paired with GOD power, we’re on the right track.
So today I’m celebrating my girl power while giving thanks for the God power that gave it to me. I tackled overwhelming (to me) tasks yesterday. I made big decisions involving a lot of math, data analysis and computery stuff (basically all the things uncomfortable and scary for me). I overcame my fear of failing and trusted God. I did it…with His help. I’m proud of that! And if God is indeed my heavenly Father, than I’m quite certain He’s proud of me too.
I desire an “Atta-girl” from God. I seek His approval in what I’m trying to accomplish and I pray I don’t get in the way of whatever His plans are. If I’m overly meek, or humble to the point of shrinking my important role in His kingdom, how does that glorify God exactly? We have to hold our own so HE is not diminished along with us! Ladies…we are so very important to God! He gave us gifts and talents and calls us to use them in special and mighty ways.
He’s called us to love one another, yet how can we love others if we don’t love and value who God made us to be? How can we demonstrate the Power of the Holy Spirit, unless we are first inspired ourselves?
If He’s called us to do things that help us “love one another” or if He’s compelled us to tackle difficult tasks that glorify him, then let’s celebrate that!
We only need to look to the Bible for women like Mary, Naomi, Ruth (rock star widow, by the way), Esther, Miriam, Deborah (a prophet and female judge!), Mary Magdalene, Sarah and on and on to know God values women. These women were BRAVE! They were FAITHFUL! When they were called to do super hard things – they did it! That made them FIERCE! They are proof that God trusts women to do His work! He created girl power – Praise for that!
Today I’m celebrating these strong women of faith today, too. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has recently appointed its first two female African American Bishops. Not one…but two! Girl Power! God Power! Fierce, bold, confident, qualified, wise, Spirit-filled and CALLED. Yes!!
The Rev. Patricia A. Davenport and Rev. Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld – I am celebrating you and the God who called you to it! Your example excites me.
What have you accomplished via faith and hard work lately? Celebrate it! Thank God for it! I’m PROUD of you!!!
God power + Girl Power = A mighty and dynamic duo! Women…Let’s go BE THE CHURCH!
Extra grace,
Jodi
Photo credit and quite possibly a tattoo idea should I ever get inked:Corinne Kutz
