13 Reminders For Christian Women
Are you a Gen X-er? Generation Y? A Boomer? Whether we’re aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 or a Titus 2 woman, we're all called to conform to the image of Christ. Author Susan Hunt puts it this way:
Are you a Gen X-er? Generation Y? A Boomer? Whether we’re aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 or a Titus 2 woman, we're all called to conform to the image of Christ. Author Susan Hunt puts it this way:
Ultimately it is not the life-season or circumstances that matters. It is not so much what you do as who you are. The question you should ask is not ‘What is my role?’ but ‘What is my goal?’ Am I becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ? Am I being transformed by the renewing of my mind? Am I loving God with all of my heart, mind, and soul and loving my neighbor as myself?—Susan Hunt, “The Seasons of a Woman’s Life”
Recently, I came across theologian and pastor Dr. John Piper’s "Challenge to Women." You may not fully embrace Piper’s Reformed theology. Nevertheless, he outlines 13 important points for all of us to meditate on, no matter what our theology, and where we are on life’s journey.
1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
3. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching…
5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you…
6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God…
1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
3. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching…
5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you…
6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God…
7. That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies…
8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow...
10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children…
11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom—to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper?...
12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc…
13. That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day...
Read Dr. Piper's complete list here. Via Titus2Talk.
R.I.P. Thursday Thirteen
Did you know that the official Thursday Thirteen blog meme has come to an end? Not to worry. If you would like to post a list of thirteen things (books, favorites, you name it) leave me a comment and I'll drop by for a visit. Maybe I'll even put up Mister Linky next time!
8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow...
10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children…
11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom—to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper?...
12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc…
13. That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day...
Read Dr. Piper's complete list here. Via Titus2Talk.
R.I.P. Thursday Thirteen
Did you know that the official Thursday Thirteen blog meme has come to an end? Not to worry. If you would like to post a list of thirteen things (books, favorites, you name it) leave me a comment and I'll drop by for a visit. Maybe I'll even put up Mister Linky next time!
Update: Barbara H at Stray Thoughts commented that some of the regular Thursday 13ers started it up again here: http://thursday-13.com/
So which challenge on this list stands
out to you?
So which challenge on this list standsout to you?
Photos: Face it & hartp (Flickr)
11 Comments:
Great post. I loved #2. Well loved them all but #2 especially stood out.
Good stuff.
Much love to you!
Angela
emom! i've been gone! and gone so very far! my computer cord broke and then my fam and i escaped our fridgid cold by taking a road trip to the far edge of texas. a little island called port aransas. it was heavenly. i loved it all. even the 35 hour trip to took us to get home, which we drove in ONE SHOT!
hopefully i can return to blogworld sooon cuz i have stories to tell! :) xoxox
Some of the regular Thursday 13ers started it up again in a new place after the old site closed. It's here:
http://thursday-13.com/
Awesome post. I so agree. If I worked outside the home, I wouldn't have the ministry time I have now and I wouldn't be as happy either. Still, there are some who can't. I'm very blessed indeed.
What a great list! Challenging and honest. Thanks!
First off I love the list, but as the Director of Children's ministries at our church #11 just jumped out at me. Volunteerism among women has decreased due to the increase in working outside the home.
#6 definitely stands out because I was educated in a Christian college which I highly recommend and we were encouraged to view ANY career choice as an opportunity to serve the Lord. I view myself as a Christian teacher in a HUGE mission field: the public school setting and believe me, I find that using the talents and the gifts that God equipped me with, along with my education, both secular and Christian, has given me the chance to shine the Light of Jesus. I also don't have trouble balancing church ministry duties with home and career but then again I am blessed to only work part time so.....plus my husband is a great help and support no matter what season of life I am in. This was an excellent list and I will point people to it. Thanks for sharing it! Love John Piper!
I think the issue of employment versus ministry (#11) has become VERY clouded for women. I'm not sure many women, especially those in their twenties even think of it. I know I didn't. No one talks about the value in being free to minister and I discovered it myself purely through experience.
It is a tough call to make too. Do you turn your back on steady income for your family in lieu of possible ministry opportunities? I know I have felt tempted to quit my activities when money is tight.
Faith brings up a good point that for many women, their job IS a ministry opportunity.
Full time career vs. freedom for ministry?
It is a worthy question and one many young mothers are not even aware of. How do we bring it up without offending those who work?
Angela, Roo, Barbara H., Jan, MiPa, Kim, Faith & Tami: Thank you for leaving such thoughtful comments today. The "Blogger monster" got ahold of my comment with individual replies to all of you... and I lost it. Oh well!
Have a blessed weekend. (((Hugs)))
e-Mom
I'm still working on number 1!
Very challenging list.
Buffy: Good for you! :~D
Post a Comment