Today is International Women’s Day, and it inspired me to write. It inspired me to write about what it means to be a woman, something is frequently misunderstood.
In many places, women aren’t treated the way they deserve to be, and that includes North America, where we’re supposed to be the most progressive people. For thousands of years, women have been seen as baby-making sexual objects, to be used when needed, and tossed aside when finished with. That’s evil, and wrong, and not one bit what God intended when He created us. (Genesis 2:18-25)
But as if often the case, humankind has made a mess of God’s plan and creation, and left the following generations to pick up the pieces. The abuse and disrespect of women sparked the feminist movement, where women decided it was time to get their voice. In theory it was a strong idea, and in many regards did a lot of good and positive things.
But at the same time, women rose up and overcompensated for years of pain, rendering men to become less than they were intended to be. God created the world in perfect harmony, where both genders had roles and functions, needed each other to survive, and fit together perfectly.
Now, the roles of both men and women have been twisted and, devalued.
Does the feminist movement understand what happens when women decide they want to be men, and men decide they want to be women, in essence making biological females irrelevant? The problem is that we don’t know what we were created for, and we don’t know where our true identity lies.
I was born a female. But I didn’t always want to be one. I grew up in a time that while women weren’t completely oppressed, we also weren’t given complete freedom to do what we wanted to. I went against the grain, and bucked the trends. I wanted to do everything that boys did, and nothing that girls did.
But ladies, (and gents), let me tell you something. Being a woman has nothing to do with the clothes I wear, with the hobbies I enjoy, with the length of my hair or the colour (lack thereof) on my nails. Being a woman has nothing to do with wearing make-up, high heels, and fancy dresses.
God created women to be the rock of the home, and of society. He created us to nurture, to teach, to love, and to care. He designed us to be fully functional independently of men, but yet knowing that men need us. He intended that we be found and made whole in Jesus Christ, not in a marriage, not even as a mother. But he invented those things to accentuate what already makes us great.
Men may not see it, nor understand it. They may still see us as lesser than them, and thus not worthy of respect. But those men are in a sorry state, not knowing what God created, not knowing His incredible intentions for the world.
Women, don’t despise yourselves. Don’t believe you were created wrong. Don’t live as someone who shrinks back. Embrace womanhood, not as something that depends on appearance, but rather something that relies on instinct. If men and women living together in harmony wasn’t the best way, or the only way, God would have given an alternative. But He didn’t.
If you don’t “feel” like you’re a woman, it’s because you’ve been conditioned to believe it’s something that can be altered with hormones and surgery, not understanding it’s inborn, ingrained, and unchangeable. It’s not something to hate, but rather something to adore.
You can be anything you want to be, and do anything you want to do. I’m a sports-loving drummer with short hair and flat shoes. Does that make me less female? No. Because my femininity has nothing to do with the cultural norms that have been dangerously perpetuated in our society.
Don’t let anyone tell you what a woman is “supposed” to be. You have so much wisdom and understanding to contribute, just by being you.
Being a woman is beautiful. It’s a blank canvass to express yourself however you choose to, regardless of what others may make you feel. It starts with you being who you are, not by trying to change who you are. I thank God that He created me to be a woman. I’m special and unique. I wouldn’t be me if I were created as anything else.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
- Proverbs 31:25-30
