by Brina Davis
“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”
Elisabeth Elliot
Let me be a woman – and not just any woman, but the one that I was created to be, the one whose purpose I was meant to fulfill. There are many women that I admire and I wish I could emulate all of their best traits – however God did not create me to be any of those women, He created me as Sis. Brina.
For comparison, I bring to your attention two ladies in the bible: Eve, the mother of all and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both women had choices to make that had an impact on the entire world, yet their outcomes were entirely different.
Eve in her garden with her husband and a seemingly simple food choice.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
Genesis 3:6
Her decision was actually whether to obey Gods command or follow Satan’s portrayal of a better plan. Her decision should have been simple but it was complicated by external circumstances. she made a terrible choice that facilitated their banishment, wreaked havoc on her family, and it ultimately trickled down to you and I.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young woman on the cusp of marriage. She had been prepared for a life of purity and domestic excellence. Mary was presented with a decision of such magnitude that it could have been fatal to her reputation and all of her families plans. But she trusted God and was willing to follow His leading.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:38
Her decision and obedience to God brought the joy of motherhood, peace and blessings on her family, the respect of her fiancé, and it also trickled down to you and I with the plan of salvation.
I’m not necessarily focused on the decisions that these women as much as I am their willingness to be the woman that God had planned for them to be. God’s plan for Eve was surely different than what she allowed to occur.
For years, I’ve asked my daughter, Emma, “Who are you? And she would always answer “Emma." Then I ask, “Whose are you?” And she will always answer: “God’s”.
Who you belong to is more important than your name, because He will define you and bring about His Goodness in your life.
As an individual, I am quiet and reserved and I loathe being the center of attention. I am definitely a “behind the scenes” kind of person. But do not mistake my reservation for passivity - I am passionate about many things: the things of God and our church, my family and friends, and Heritage Bible College.
We all have a purpose and a plan - I encourage you to be the woman that God has called you to be, otherwise you may deprive the world of the next pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, missionary, or a different role that God has planned for you. There is no replacement for authenticity, all other attempts lead to a cheap copy of you.
Be self-aware – know who you are and WHOSE you are!
Be Christ-like!
Be joyful in you – because there is no one else like you!
We are all women or ladies in waiting – it is never too late to seek God’s direction in your life. In writing this, it might lean toward ladies that have not yet reached their potential or who are in the throes of becoming the women they were meant to be. But take heart if you are beyond those pivotal years and be the woman that God intended you to be at your current time of life.
