Women/Strength really?

I had a conversation today with a dear friend. Among many of the things discussed we landed a bit on strength and women. In Christian circles this often seems to be in conflict with our views of godliness. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In the increasingly hostile environment many women find themselves the need for assertive truth and living bravely are sorely needed.

The church has done a horrendous job in teaching what it means to be a woman or a man. It has set up many stereotypes that have more to do with culture and tradition than biblical truths. I am often confounded when scripture tells us, "to be strong in the Lord" and our response is only to allow men this godly trait.

Recently, I have taken on another one of my bucket list goals. I am training for a sprint tri-athalon. The consequence of this training is the very fact that I am getting stronger. The time spent in running, swimming and biking is manifesting itself in my body. I have worked hard. I wonder if women would apply themselves in the study of scripture they will find strength and courage to speak against what is unjust, to live for what is good and harness in their spirits the strength of a mighty God who loves them beyond comprehension! The training of serious study would let them know beyond a doubt of their value, their necessity and their equally shared image reflection of God.

I am so struck with the awesome arsenal that is in every church congregation, but underutilized, under appreciated and certainly unrecognized due to an incredibly false view of what it means to be a woman or a man. When I walk into a room it is obvious I am of the female gender. The rest that comes with it is often more about assumptions and teaching than true godliness.

What if every woman lived in the strength and courage of their God? If women would stop being passive enablers of bad behavior from their brothers and sisters, but true Ezer's who spoke what was true in great humility and love? What if women would no longer stand for physical, spiritual and emotional abuse from their men and yes, the church! What if women and men united together in the beauty of their uniqueness and giftedness supported one another to truly embody the gospel message of a royal priesthood?

This past week I have been made aware of two marriages falling apart. In both the women are not respected. There is a strong conviction of roles in both marriages that obviously is not working. Not too long ago I heard a comment from a young father who was very concerned that his boy knew what it meant to be a man. I groaned inwardly. For what if the father was more concerned with his boy learning what it meant to follow Jesus? We are so hung up on gender and roles our focus is wrong and bent. Jesus says, follow me. We don't need to worry about what package He created us in, our faithful following will take care of any confusion.

I'm not into human bashing. I am tired of observing continual pain perpetrated by false beliefs of what is a woman or man. I am sickened by the church's contribution to people's real emotional confusion due to our desire to limit feminine and masculine characteristics which inhabit every human being into one type of body. Women can be strong. Women can be assertive. Men can be sensitive. Men don't have to be leaders! We put so much pressure on ourselves and each other when deep down inside none of us measure up to this "sacred" definition of male and femaleness. Can we stop this? Can we talk? Can we be strong in what is true and right? Can we speak and be respected? Can we listen? Can we learn?