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In today’s world I often find myself at odds with “modern woman” as she is portrayed in media and politics—a female powerhouse who does it all! She manages a corporation and runs the home and raises a family and takes no prisoners. I loved my work, enjoyed my home, and doted on my family as best as I could; but so often my all ended up including fast food dinner, wrinkled clothes, and driving like a banshee with one hand reaching in the back seat to clean up my girls with baby wipes.
Even now, as my girls have become strong, independent women, I ponder at the example I set for them. Remember the old Peggy Lee song used in a perfume commercial: “I’m a woman, W-O-M-A-N!” Somehow she launders, irons, cooks, feeds the baby, heals the sick, fixes the car, shops, works, and pays the bills, while still being the life of the party and keeping her man happy and satisfied. She makes the Proverbs 31 woman look like a slacker by comparison.
As much as I am at odds with the “modern woman”, I even find myself at odds with the woman of Scripture.
There have been times when I have been tempted to sacrifice my marriage on the throne of self-sufficiency, or to diminish or change my relationship with God for the same crown of independence. I have no doubt that Scripture is God’s way of showing me Himself and His plan for me, for us. In Scripture it is obvious that God loves each one of His children equally. To think that I, as a woman, am as treasured as my husband or my pastor! It is also apparent in His Word that I serve a different role than they do. I want so much to gain intimacy with Christ, which I cannot do on my own—only by His Spirit. But I certainly cannot know Him deeply if I shy away from Scripture that is hard to swallow.
If I truly trust God, if I truly believe He is for my good through His glory, then mustn’t I look at difficult passages squarely and use them in my walk? Of course, Womenary classes have taught me that I cannot jump to apply Scripture to my life without first doing the work of observation and interpretation utilizing trusted sources; but isn’t it foolhardy to pick and choose Scripture according to what is palatable or non-offensive?
If I am equally treasured in God’s eyes, then I am equally responsible for my own knowledge of God and a pursuit for a life that brings Him glory. Do I want to risk asserting myself in a way that might be an obstacle to this?
I have posed many questions in this blog without answers, maybe because they can only be answered individually, with the fear and trembling that is mentioned throughout the Bible: Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Psalm 2:11); maybe because Paul had it right when he said, Therefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).
When all is said and done, as a daughter of the one true King I want to please Him above all else, even myself.
I want to place my trust in knowing that the God I serve will use my obedience for His glory and for my complete joy in that role, whatever that may mean. So, with fear and trembling, I give myself to reading and studying passages about women in marriage, church, and daily life, such as: 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, 11:1-16, 14:26-40; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-25, each time asking God to guide me through this endeavor.
When I sing the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, I sing the lines “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love” with trembling heart and catching voice every time, because I know I will fail. I know that my pride and the influence of the world will pull at me and I will find my values compromised once again.
Existing equal in being while having difference, even deference in function, this is the Trinitarian nature of God. To be created in this same way, male and female, equal in being yet different in form and function, is part of how we are in His image. Hallelujah and Amen!
*All scripture from the English Standard Version.
Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy has been following Christ since she was 17. Although this road has not always been straight, she has seen God’s hand in every detour. Elizabeth is blessed with and by her husband of 30 years, John, and 2 grown daughters. As an educator, she has been able to feed her insatiable desire to learn every day and share learning with others. Elizabeth became a student of Womenary in 2016. From the Bible to theology to cozy mysteries, Elizabeth is always absorbed in reading. This still leaves time for enjoying travel with her husband, walking, old movies, and time with extended family and friends. Elizabeth loves to walk alongside fellow Christ-chasers—learning and laughing through life.
