I want to ask all you ladies a question: what does it mean to be a woman, today? This topic is at the root of a female’s identity. Take notice I said a FEMALE not a woman. What gender you are born was and is God’s choice for your gender. If you are born as the gender of female then you are by God’s design, female. But walking in the identity of woman is not only choice but perspective. Perspective is a concept you will see a lot in my thoughts because as I live life and observe others I realize the impact perspective has on all aspects of life. So back to topic; what makes a female a woman today? I believe this is a complex and somewhat internal subject. So I will touch on aspects of this over the next few weeks.
No matter what generation you are born into you are female and how that is molded in life comes from biology and environment. We can all agree that the word woman is wrapped in an interpretation of culture and upbringing. Then there is the biblical picture of what is meant to be a woman.
What woman means is very pivotal in identity to a female. So let’s start with the biology of it. There are specific things… a womb. Which in my interpretation means every female is created to give life. Yes, I know some wombs remain closed unable to give birth but they, as women, are still able to give life. We do have an important mission as females when we become women…to give life. Perhaps not biological with all, but all are called to this purpose. With this being the main mission of a woman, our identity as a woman is of the utmost importance.
There are so many aspects to this it is hard to know where to start. So let’s start with the importance of perspective. As you think through generations of your life and what you have heard and learned about previous generations can you see the picture change? The world is full of comparison on everything including it’s definition of woman. For example, many compare men and women… women the lesser gender or women need to show strength and conquer the man’s world. Why can’t the picture of woman just be DIFFERENT no more, no less…
My challenge to you as we ponder this for the next week is what is your picture of woman? Is that picture the identity God intended for you? Personally I have a very specific picture for myself and I also have, what I call, my perfect picture that I strive towards. I believe that my life, the me in my identity is always in process. Your identity impacts everyone in your life. How can I instill womanly identity in my daughter if I do not have the understanding in my own identity, and how can you? Let’s continue to strive to be the confident, worthy woman God made us to be. Join me next week as we continue to discuss our identity as women.