"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think..."--Romans 12:2(NLT)
This one's specifically for the girls! There is good news found in the word of God for each and every woman who has been rendered voiceless--silenced into a corner, disempowered, and now watching the game from the sidelines. In a nutshell, change your thinking and get in the game because that is where you belong according to God's word!
Although society appears to be slowly evolving, historically women have not been viewed or treated on the same playing field as men. There is no dispute that there are differences between men and women, however each brings value, significance, and importance in his/her own way. A skewed perception may cause one to miss out on the qualities and contributions that a woman can make. Yet, since we cannot change the viewpoint of others, it may be more prudent to self-examine and consider our (female) internal thought processes.
Many of us grew up with the understanding that children were to be "seen and not heard". This notion to an even greater degree for girls. For the brave young girl who spoke up or challenged the status quo, there would more than likely be some sort of negative response or backlash:
- "Shut up"
- "You talk too much"
- "Who do you think you are?"
- "You have too much mouth"
- "Why can't you just behave like a lady?"
Consider the story of Deborah in Judges 4 and Judges 5. Deborah was a female judge who was extremely wise and just. She is noted for her bravery, courage, military acumen and strategy. She a prophet, a poet, and a wife. She was a boss babe. She used her God-given voice and spoke unapologetically with power and authority. She was regarded and revered.
Consider the Virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. She was the quintessential boss babe. She was a wife, mother, business woman. She was smart, innovative, prudent, and greatly loved by her husband, her children, and her community. She was kind and thoughtful. She was diligent and hardworking. She feared the Lord. She was strong and honorable. An interesting fun fact about the virtuous women is that King Lemuel's mother is schooling him on the type of woman who is priceless! Like Deborah, the woman described in Proverbs 31 is not voiceless or docile. She is deliberate and intentional, yet tempered by the jurisprudence of the Holy Spirit.
Consider Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was another boss babe whose voice precipitated the first miracle of Jesus at a wedding in Cana of Galilee(John 2).
If this is resonating with you and you have a longing to find or rediscover your voice, allow the voice of the Father (his word) to help you navigate this new terrain. It is a loving Father who teaches how to walk in the gifts he has given us with grace, humility, and decency, not with anger, offense, disrespect, and hostility. We are called to treat others as we desire to be treated and speak/relate to one another with love and compassion:
- Isaiah 50:4
- John 8:29
- John 16:13
- Colossians 4:6
- Hebrews 13:1
- James 1:19
The Bible also gives strong warnings about the dangers of an unbridled tongue:
- Psalm 34:13
- Psalm 39:1
- Psalm 141:3
- Proverbs 18:21
- James 3:5-6
- I Peter 3:10
In summation, despite the negative and erroneous messages you may have received in your youth or beyond, may I encourage you to embrace the voice, the talents, the attributes, and skills that the Father has given you? Allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate, prune, develop, polish, and nourish the gift of voice within you. It is purposeful, needed, and necessary. Place civility, decency, and the law of kindness above disdain and toxic negativity as you activate your God-given voice.
You, boss babe, have a position to play that no one else but you can play. Get in the game! We're cheering for you!
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