Woman to women

Being a woman isn’t easy. I know that I am not the only woman who feels this way but nevertheless, I am enjoying the woman I am growing into as I age.

I remember not too long ago, when I was creating content for a political candidate, I was told by one of his people involved in the campaign that he wanted someone younger. He couldn’t and didn’t put it “out there” right away. There was some skirting around until he finally said it. I was 46 years old. The next few words that came out of his mouth were plain noise to me. I never spoke to him again and his candidate lost that election. Again.

While I am a firm believer that God will always stand up for you and defend you, I also believe that He puts you at peace and elevates you. I still believe, however, that there are still some people, particularly men, who fail to see the value of what women bring, apart from their physical appearance.

The Bible describes women as the “weaker vessel,” which pertains to women being physically weaker but not intellectually, morally or spiritually weaker. Husbands are called in scripture to treat their wives with tenderness – like a delicate and valuable gift – and as a whole, men are to care for women by using their strength to serve and protect them. Spiritually, men and women are equal – equal heirs of the grace of life before the eyes of God. In fact, the Bible warns men that if they fail to honor women, particularly their wives, as the weaker vessel, their prayers will be hindered.

To date, there are still men who look at women as objects of desire (among other things), rather than a suitable partner of equal footing. Peter the apostle didn’t have what we call political correctness as we know it today, but he also did not call women weak. Believe it or not, Peter was actually paying attention to women and complimented them. Skeuos in Greek literally means a piece of equipment or gear. In other words, an object. In the New Testament, however, it is used to metaphorically describe people as vessels – the ones who are chosen and are instruments rather than objects.

Women are instruments indeed. We have been more and more today recognized for our ability to accomplish many things that are more natural for women to do. This isn’t a competition after all, but rather a recognition of the God-given gifts of every woman in this world. What a blessing it is for men to see women this way –more importantly, to think and to talk about women in a manner that respects their own capabilities and contributions to society.

Ladies, it is indeed an honor to be called a vessel, one that is unique and complimentary to the rest of the people of this world. Our physical and sexual makeup deserve to be treated with courtesy and understanding. We were not built to withstand the stresses that the male physique can handle but rather, a vessel where her life reflects the knowledge of God.

In truth, a man is a vessel too and both men and women are heirs to the kingdom of God. Both the weaker and stronger vessels are God’s design and must be equally treated with respect and honor. The weaker vessel is not a fluke of nature. This, after all, is the way God intended it to be from the very beginning.

We live in a culture that is doing all it can to put its head in the sand and remove what is simply true. Women were made with soft skills that, especially in today’s world, are badly needed. It is a growing fact that empathy, collaboration and emotional intelligence are becoming the most valued traits in the modern workplace. Respect isn’t just about grand gestures or chivalry, it is also about acknowledging a woman’s autonomy, intellect and boundaries. Often, we hear that it is a man’s world but we must be able to recognize that making a man’s experience a default and a woman’s experience a niche does not recognize how God created man and woman to be.

In the beginning, it was said that it wasn’t good for man to live alone. It wasn’t just about companionship. It was also about the need for a specific kind of strength, wisdom and grace that only a woman can bring to this world. A woman is not just a supporting character in this story of life, not the kind of helper seen only as a useful tool. Each and every woman is a divine necessity.

Proverbs 3:25 says: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” This describes a woman who is secure in her worth and puts her confidence in God, allowing her to face the future without fear because she can trust in God and her own capabilities. God equipped women to handle life’s challenges with grace and confidence.

To the women reading this article, always remember that you are God’s masterpiece of Divine Intent, co-heirs to the beauty of this world, with a heart that nurtures, a mind that leads and a spirit that reflects the image and likeness of God.

Happy Women’s Month!