Life as a Christian Woman

Obedient women are never remembered in history.
Seen on a Bumper Sticker

I saw this bumper sticker on a car, and my mind raced. Imagine what a surprise this statement would be to such obedient women as the Virgin Mary, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist), Miriam, on and on. These women were both obedient and are revered to this day.

The assumption is that an obedient woman has no mind of her own, cannot think or choose. She is obedient because she doesn’t think, doesn’t care to think, never will think. The assumption is also that an obedient woman cannot lead. Nothing could be further from truth.

Let’s look at Queen Esther. She was obedient to God, which meant bucking the rules and appearing, unbidden, in front of her husband, the king. She interceded for her people, the Jews, and not only saved them. She was instrumental in changing the law, allowing Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.

I’d call that unforgettable!

Do you need a more “modern-day” example? How about Beth Moore, the ubiquitous Christian women’s writer. Remember the story of her experience at the Knoxville airport, when God told her to brush a man’s hair? (click here to read). This woman has been obedient to our God, going where He told her to go, and writing the words that He has laid on her heart. Her books and teachings have brought thousands of women to the Father, and millions more into closer communion with Him. Because of her obedience, God has used her to further His kingdom.

Finally, what about female missionaries, located around the world, including in Muslim countries. These women follow our Lord, bowing before Him and leaving the comfort of their lives to enter into danger, all in the name of obedience. Yet, while their names may not be known worldwide, their actions will be remembered by the ones that they lead to the Lord, souls that would have been lost had they not been obedient to His call. And their names are written upon His heart for eternity.

We should all be so forgettable!

What is it about us that keeps us from reaching out to others in times of need? When we most need someone in our lives, someone to help us through a dark time, or someone to just listen, we tend to wall ourselves off.

“Not me!” we say, “I don’t need any help. I can handle things just fine all by myself.”

There is a simple answer as to why we are reluctant to turn to others… Pride. When we ask for help, we have to admit that we can’t do it ourselves. Pride can be defined as “self-worship,” where we believe that we are above help… “What can someone else do for me that I can’t do for myself?”

But if we don’t “get off our high horse” (my husband’s favorite phrase), we cut ourselves off from those who want to help us, who want to serve God by serving others.

I was reminded of this today when I received a special email. A friend of mine from church had been diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. It appeared to be advanced, and after much testing at one of the top hospitals in the U.S., she was scheduled for a double mastectomy next week. My friend is a very private person, as is her entire family. She preferred to keep the surgery private, only telling a few close friends. Her husband encouraged her to be open with her need for prayer. They stepped out in faith and boldly asked friends, acquaintances and strangers to pray for a miracle. This past Wednesday she went to the hospital for her pre-op screenings.

No cancer. Nothing. Nada.

The doctors were incredulous. They ran more and more tests, until finally the arrived at the conclusion that she was cancer-free. The surgery was canceled.

I know that not everyone who prays for a healing is healed. God has His own timetable, His own lessons to be learned and roads to be taken. But this was a miracle.

Why did God heal my friend when others pray for healing and are not healed? I don’t know the answer to that, beyond saying that God has His reasons. Maybe the lesson was for her, a lesson on reaching out. Maybe the lesson was a reminder that God works miracles everyday.

But I do know that many, many people lifted her up in prayer, and we believe that God has worked a miracle for us all to learn from, in one manner or another!