The Value of Women

Women have as much value as men do.  When God said in Genesis 1:27 about creating humans in his image, he was referring to genders, male and female.  Women have an incredible ability to love and nurture and to make our world a better place.  Women also have the abilities to fix cars, build a house, engineer roads or bridges, and drive a semi-truck and a plethora of other things. 

For many years, women were expected to be barefoot and pregnant.  Their place was in the kitchen; laundry room and ensuring the kids were dressed and well behaved.  Women’s role from the beginning was not to be a servant to the husband or any man; rather she was designed to be a partner who co-exists in life.

There is constant bickering over the role of women is society, in the home and even in the church.  I cannot imagine God having a conversation with his son, Jesus and saying, “Son, let’s a make woman inferior.  Let’s not give them dignity or abilities or value.  Let’s tell them to know their place and never speak up or stand up for themselves.  Their role in life is to serve men only.” 

It is disturbing how women have had to fight for fair wages, the right to vote and to be heard in our society.  It is even more disturbing that women have had to suffer even in the body of Christ.  Galatians 3:28 declares, “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.”   

Women have value.  Abilities.  Intelligence.  Common sense.  Never treat them like a second-class citizen.  See their potential.  Throughout bible history, women have had a vital role in serving and helping God and Jesus.  The following women are inspiring and have helped change the course of our relationship with God.     

Hannah (Promise-Keeper) 1 Samuel 1&2 Hannah is one of the most inspiring stories.  Hannah wanted to have a child, but was unable to due to medical reasons.  Hannah also wanted to fulfill her husband by giving him a child.  The only resource Hannah had was God.  She set out to pray for a child.  Night and day she prayed.  She prayed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to God’s work all the days of his life.  Hannah wasn’t intending to have a trade-off with God; rather, she wanted a son who would make a difference in society.  God heard her promise and gave her the child.  Hannah kept her promise and Samuel went on to become on of the greatest leaders of his day. 

Phoebe (Servant) Romans 16:1-2 Phoebe was a servant among servants.  She served in the church with humility and urgency.  Paul counted her among the servants of the church who the other church members needed to support her.  Women do all kinds of ministry in the family of God every day.  God has equipped each woman with gifts and abilities that will enhance the kingdom of God in a mighty way. 

Mary (Mother of Jesus) Matthew 1 Mary was chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world through natural birth.  For a young teen girl, can you imagine the responsibility placed on her?  She did it without missing a beat.  She was true to raising Jesus up in a home that exhibited all the qualities of a Jewish home. 

When God made woman, he made a partnership for man.  Women are valuable in all areas of life and their service in the church family greatly enhances the effectiveness of ministry.  Thankfully, men are seeing women’s strengths in leadership, abilities in creativity and service in kingdom works

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian