I recently read this quote by Israel Wayne. He's a popular conference speaker who lives in Michigan state. His words really struck me hard.
"If no one is accusing you of being too legalistic, then you probably aren't living a holy life.
If no one is accusing you of being a 'bleeding heart', then you probably aren't loving enough.
If no one is accusing you of being too dogmatic, then you probably aren't standing for the truth.
If no one is accusing you... or criticizing you...you probably aren't doing anything significant."
Why this same old issue seems to arise in me every day is difficult for me to understand!
"Am i doing anything significant? "
I steward my life in such a way so that i don't have to have people accuse me of this or that. I want to be liked and loved, and thought of as great, and useful. Not loud, ill tempered or dogmatic.
I guess if i measure my significance against a worldly standard. i am pathetic.
I work at starbucks making minimum wage, i have never really accomplished any MAJOR goal i've set for myself, and i haven't changed to world.
Neither am i working with those in need to make their lives a better place, or seeing my friends and family get saved.
I am just a woman.
This may sounds slightly cheesy; but if i can accomplish being a Proverbs 31 woman. I am significant.
Hasn't it only been in the last 100 or so years, that woman have had to work for status?
Did not God create woman to bear children, and run their homes, and support there community and intensely love their husbands?
Did not God create woman specifically to be a partner for the man? I may sound old school here, but hear my out.
I'm not trying to sugar coat my lazy desire to quit work and stay at home, or give an excuse as to why i don't seem to meet my goals. I'm just staying that i've talked to way to many girls friends who don't feel significant, and i'm trying to find out why?
God wants to use me, and wants me to be willing to be used by Him, but i can't do that if my focus is on appearance and a concern for my own personal well being. I have to be open to Him daily.
I have to put off my own goals, and desires for status or an amazing worldly job so that people would think better of me, if i want to be used by Him. It's actually quite simple. Serve Christ Above All Else.
You may accuse me of being legalistic, you may accuse me of being overly sensitive, You may accuse me of being a bit sexist.
You can criticize all you want.
For i know, my worth is in Christ. And I am significant to Him.
~The Warrior and the Wife~
Just stumbled across your blog today and I can honestly say I have not been this offended by something I've read on the internet in years. So that should say a lot.
ReplyDeleteI will not accuse you of being anything however, you do appear to be justifying your own choices in life by claiming that being a wife and mother is all God sees women as. Does that mean because I am a successful businessperson, I do not deserve God's love? I find that insulting beyond measure. Just because you choose not to expand your mind with education, culture or anything beyond the life of a wife and mother... doesn't mean that's what others want from their lives. I feel you are judging others for your own lack of confidence in your choices. This is unfair.
I am personally insulted that you do not think I am a real woman because I am not married and have no children. What if I told you I think marriage and children are NOT what God had planned for women? Would you believe me or would you throw out of context scripture at me? If so, there are a lot of things that are said in the bible that you do not follow so why THIS specific one??? It's awfully convenient to pick and choose which of God's instructions we choose to follow.
I will pray that Christ opens your heart and mind and that you learn to embrace something other than what you have expressed here.
I am a strong, intelligent and powerful woman and I love the Lord as much as you do.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
You are in my prayers...