24: Cherishing the Uniqueness of Women

What does it mean to truly embrace the unique design for women as envisioned through a biblical lens? 

Join me on a heartfelt journey as we honor Women's History Month and International Women's Day, reflecting on the divine attributes instilled in women, from strength and grace to wisdom and gentleness. Amid these reflections, I share a personal story about giving birth to twin boys on International Women's Day and the responsibility it brings to raise them with respect for and an understanding of women's value. We celebrate the inspiring qualities of biblical figures like Esther, Deborah, and Mary, whose courage and faith exemplify God's beautiful design for femininity. 

Throughout this episode, we also examine the contrasting paths of egalitarian and maternal feminism, exploring how each has sought to uplift women's rights in their own way. Discover the virtues of an exemplary woman, whose industrious nature and balance of household and business acumen highlight the strength and dignity that define her character. Her life's impact resonates beyond her family to the broader community, embodying values of inner character over external allure. Uncover the importance of cherishing these divine roles, even as we navigate the complexities of modern feminism and its interpretations. May you be encouraged by this enriching conversation that celebrates the unique and divine design for women as part of God's eternal plan.

Recommended Reading:

Mama Bear Apologetics edited by Hillary Morgan Ferrer

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Chapters

• 0:00 Exploring God's Design for Women
• 17:08 A Woman of Excellence

Transcript

Leanne: 0:56

Women's History Month is traditionally observed in March and International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th. When I went to look up International Women's Day and when it first began, I was surprised to see that it actually started about over 100 years ago, because I hadn't really paid much attention to it until I was in the hospital about to deliver twin boys about seven years ago. I think I had heard about it before then, but this was the first time it really like meant something to me and I remember chuckling to myself when the nurse reminded me that it was International Women's Day. And here I was about to bring not one but two boys into the world, and I remember thinking that it was a great day to birth boys who would someday grow up to both love and respect women if I had anything to do with it. Since then it has been an adventure raising boys and a girl to truly embrace who they are in Christ and to treasure the uniqueness of being made in the image of God, as it says in Genesis 1.27. So, in honor of this month focusing on women, I wanted to spend just a little bit of time exploring God's specific design for women when considering women, specifically the uniqueness of femininity in God's plan.

Leanne: 2:44

There are countless examples throughout scripture of women who reflected God's image with excellence. The Proverbs 31 woman is, of course, one that comes to mind. She displayed strength and gentleness through her hard work and compassion for others. Women like Lois and Eunice, mother and grandmother, are recognized for nurturing and caring for Timothy, who grew up to serve the Lord faithfully in ministry right alongside Paul. Faithfully in ministry right alongside Paul. Esther and Deborah showed courage, wisdom and discernment in leadership positions, while Mary, the mother of Jesus, demonstrated faith and obedience by trusting and following God's plan, even when it was difficult. Plan even when it was difficult.

Leanne: 3:47

And 1 Peter 3, 3-4 tells us don't be concerned about outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This verse is a reminder that beauty and grace are attributes of God that he has given to women and highly values. In fact, all of these are qualities possessed by God and part of His plan for femininity in women. God created women to be strong and gentle, nurturing and caring, wise and discerning, beautiful and grace-filled, faithful and obedient. Hearing these qualities of biblical femininity makes me want to stand up and cheer, doesn't it? It's so exciting to hear all of these wonderful attributes, and God designed women to really have these attributes. Women are so intricately and incredibly designed and I am so thankful I get to be a woman. Seriously, I love being a woman and yet, because of sin, we are no longer content to be made in the image of God. Instead, we want to be like God. Instead we want to be like God and somehow, over the years, this brokenness has led to a desire to control control our men and feel unsatisfied with our role as a helper. Genesis 2, 18 tells us that God said it is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him. Verse 22 says then the Lord made a woman from the rib and he brought her to the man.

Leanne: 5:54

I love this quote from biblical commentator Matthew Henry, and you've probably heard this one before, but he says Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him. Under his arm to be protected by him, under his arm to be protected by him and near his heart to be loved by him. Isn't that a beautiful analogy of the creation of a woman? The creation of the first woman was unique and beautifully intentional. She wasn't made from the dust like man. Instead, she was taken from his rib and given a cherished position in God's perfect plan. But again, the poison of sin has twisted this plan and transformed it into something ugly. Today we hear a lot about feminism and the power of women and, if I'm honest, it is inspiring to see and hear about women doing incredible things and making a difference in this world. But I also fear that we have stepped a bit too far outside of God's original design for women, and I don't think that it's a good thing.

Leanne: 7:30

If you trace the origins of the feminist movement, you will find that the first wave of feminism started in the early 1900s. You're probably familiar with this. This was right around the time when women sought the right to vote. It's probably one of the most famous women's right movements. This wave of feminism also included two different groups. I really appreciate this description of these two groups found in the book Mama Bear Apologetics. I highly recommend this book. If you haven't already read it. Here's what it says Egalitarian feminists argued for women's rights apart from their gender, and fought for a woman's right to operate in the same roles as men.

Leanne: 8:30

Maternal feminists argued for women's rights and equality within their unique roles as mothers and caregivers. While these two groups fought for the same goals, it was the way they argued for their rights that was drastically different. The way they argued for their rights that was drastically different. Quoting from Mama Bear Apologetics again, it says equality for the egalitarian feminists meant women being able to act like men, do anything men could do and go anywhere men could go. I don't know if you remember that Gap commercial from several years ago where it was like anything a man could do, a woman could do better. It's like that kind of concept is the egalitarian feminists. But the maternal feminists were not vying for women to be the same as men. Rather, they fought for equal worth, dignity and rights as fellow members of the human race, without forfeiting their communal identity as women. Do you see the distinction between these two groups? It's subtle, but it's there.

Leanne: 9:42

As a mama of both a daughter and two sons, there is something about this that I really want to emphasize Teaching the next generation to be proud of how God made them is important. I think, especially in our world today, that we have a bit of an identity crisis going on, and I want my children to be confident in who they are, in Christ, and to celebrate their uniqueness as either a woman or a man. This is foundational to raising strong, healthy, wise children when they are certain and confident in who they are. However, I do have a problem with raising one gender above the other. I do not want my daughter to grow up thinking that she's better than men, nor do I want my sons to grow up thinking it's okay to disrespect and put women down. Instead, I hope and pray that my children will grow up seeing how beautiful and complimentary the differences between men and women truly are, and I certainly do not want my daughter to believe the lie that just because she chooses to stay home and raise her children means she is less valuable than a woman who chooses to become an astronaut or a doctor or something else. I also pray that my sons grow up to be advocates for femininity, while not feeling ashamed of their masculinity. I pray they see women in the same way that Adam first saw Eve when he exclaimed in Genesis 2.23,. At last, this one is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh. She will be called woman because she was taken from man. He was so excited to meet Eve and he praised her for who she was as a woman.

Leanne: 11:50

It is my hope that you feel free to celebrate your uniqueness as a woman, without comparison to others, whether that's male or female. God has created you in His image and given you attributes of Himself that you can use for His glory. You get to be included in God's plan and your purpose as a woman of excellence is to embrace your identity in Christ. This means you are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved and therefore jealously protected. You are a warrior against the enemy and fully outfitted to stand triumphant in Christ. According to Galatians 4, 6, you are a child of God who intimately and infinitely loves you and like Romans 12, 2 says, you are not someone to be conformed to this world, but you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. This is your beautiful and wonderful identity in Christ. Claim it, sister, and refuse to listen to the lies of this broken world.

Leanne: 13:32

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in John, chapter 4. I love how John 4, 4 says he meaning Jesus had to go through Samaria on the way, had to. He had to. This is the introduction to this chapter that is about Jesus and the Samaritan woman. There, near a well in Samaria, jesus has one of the longest recorded conversations with a woman found in the Bible. Their entire conversation has been the topic of countless sermons, and yet there is this one section that really stands out to me. John 4, 25 and 26 says the woman said I know the Messiah is coming, the one who is called Christ. When he comes he will explain everything to us. Then Jesus told her I am the Messiah. The first time Jesus reveals his true identity and his purpose is to a woman. Isn't that amazing. He chose to reveal who he is to a woman first. Prior to this exchange, jesus was not super forthcoming about who he was or what he was doing, not even to his disciples. They were still a little bit unsure of what they were doing and what the plan was. And yet to this Samaritan woman who he had to see, he says I am the Messiah, clear as day, super specific and just for her.

Leanne: 15:14

All throughout the Gospels you will find accounts of Jesus treating women with dignity and respect and equality. He welcomed women as disciples, he engaged them in meaningful conversations, he accepted their support and recognize their spiritual worth, viewing them as equals made in the image of God. Yet Jesus did not elevate women as better than men. Instead, he revealed how treasured women are by the One who created them, and God created women to be strong and gentle. And God created women to be strong and gentle, nurturing and caring, wise and discerning, beautiful and grace-filled, faithful and obedient. And as believers, god has also given you an identity as his beloved daughter.

Leanne: 16:14

To conclude this episode on the uniqueness of God's design for women, I want to read to you this well-known passage of scripture from Proverbs 31. I know that this is probably a passage that you are very familiar with, but as I read this, I want you to really think about all of the incredible things that this woman does throughout her life, all of the many attributes. She is an amazing woman and reveals to us how much women are truly capable of when they are firmly rooted in their identity in Jesus. Listen to this An excellent wife who can find she is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm.

Leanne: 17:08

All the days of her life she seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant. She brings food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it With the fruit of her hands. She plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the staff and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself. Her clothing is fine, linen and purple.

Leanne: 18:03

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them. She delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at what is to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates. Praise her in the gates. You are a woman of excellence. You are uniquely designed by God to be strong and gentle, nurturing and caring, wise and discerning, beautiful and grace-filled, faithful and obedient. You are fully known and holy and dearly loved. No-transcript.