I Am Woman - Part I
by Sandy Ohlman
When God created the earth and everything in it He was focused, deliberate and systematic. He set the land apart from the water first before He placed vegetation on it because that was wisdom. He established the day and night cycle before He created animal and human life because He knew life required cycles for health and balance. He moved throughout the process and with every completed work He spoke blessing over it and said it was good. But then something very curious happened. The God of all wisdom created man and for the first time God said “it is not good”. He was not referring to the quality of man but rather that condition man was in. God said it is not good for man to be alone.
Isn’t it interesting – He made everything just right – He did not make a decision and then second guess Himself at any stage in creation. Neither did He seek to correct an error as he looked at man. What happened in Genesis was recorded for our understanding of the purpose within the genders. Notice also that His solution was not simply to form another man, so this was not merely a matter of creating companionship. It's been said – "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." When God created Eve it was not a matter of eliminating a condition of isolation; it was a matter of creating completion. Adam, in and of himself, was created on purpose – ON PURPOSE – to be completed by and connected with Eve. God interrupted the whole process of creation to make that point clear. He verbally announced the necessity of woman. He created Eve with unique and valuable traits intended to be employed in unity with Adam's to form a finished work. When they were together God called them good.
What did God intend for Eve? What did her blueprint spec’s look like? God created both male and female with a perfect Spirit – in His image. Yet He endowed them with complimenting, different strengths. The original intent was that these combined giftings would enable them to have dominion over the earth. The strengths of Adam did not need to be repeated. There was already one person with specialized physical strength, so God created woman with her own specialty: soul strength – with a mind, will and emotions that would be the heart of her virtue. Just as Adams strengths would provide the physical ability required for success, Eve’s strength of courage and intelligence was created to provide ability to excel.
Proverb 31 calls out for that original great woman “A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman who can find?” By design women were created with nobility. All throughout Proverbs “Wisdom” is referred to as a feminine character. Proverbs 4:8 Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her. Wisdom, intellect, capability and virtue – those are traits of excellence, the heart of a woman. This is the blueprint for all women.
Every noble trait describing women in the Word refers to soul strength. This doesn’t mean that women can’t do anything physically and it doesn’t mean that men can’t think for themselves. Please do not twist what I am saying. Our gifts don't make us smarter than men - that attitude undermines our unity and potential. The last thing the world needs is a group of women singing "I am woman, hear me roar" - that lacks a heart for gender unity. The purpose of our gifts is not to divide us but to cause us to work together and prosper. With insight and understanding regarding our specific purpose we can employ our strengths for the benefit of humanity.
It is invaluable to have understanding regarding the divinely designed purpose within men and women. We need to ask for God's perspective daily. Only then can we grasp the truth - we compliment each other in our purpose and calling. To compete or strive or to demean through derogatory comparison is to inhibit our own progress. We were created to move in unity and there is no “plan B”. If we are not in unity we are not moving ahead, we’re just spinning our wheels. When unity becomes the goal of every Christian we become one, just as the Father and Son are One. The result are great; in Acts 1:14 we are reminded that when everyone enters into unity God’s power is poured out. It is God’s desire that we would live in unity. His blessing will be amazing; we will be in awe, when we commit ourselves to unity.
For two thousand years we have known that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female for you are all one in Christ.” Gal 3:28. Yet, for two thousand years mankind still finds reasons to separate themselves from each other. God is doing something great in the church today. The church is shaking off the things that divide. God is leading us in unity. Christ is returning for a church without spot or blemish. He is bringing about the healing for this prophesy to be fulfilled. Generations and genders are being bridged by the healing of God’s grace. Men and women are coming together, making room for each others gifting and purpose. Injustices based on racial and economic prejudice are being faced and repentance is breaking forth in the church. Children are coming into their purpose, fulfilling the prophesy of Joel “your sons and daughters will prophesy”. God is doing this work – we live in an exciting era where we are able to watch it unfold.
A call to action is in the air – God’s call to humility. When we all bow down before Him and repent of pride and strife we will be changed and enabled to rise up and live out His purpose on the earth today. You are part of this great body being called to transformation. Humble yourself before God ; live in humility with those around you. Build the body by commiting yourself to unity. May our attitudes and actions reflect the justice and mercy of our God.
(c) Sandy Ohlman 2008
