Women are not a cosmic afterthought nor are they the mere addition of a species that God had mistakenly forgotten to create.
Women have been in the heart of God from the beginning of eternity past and are a vital component of His purpose and plan for the earth today. The Bible uses strong and highly descriptive words to define exactly what women have been created to accomplish.
One of the most detailed descriptions of the impact that one woman can have at her moment in history is found in Proverbs 31. The words that the Holy Spirit has chosen to describe this powerful and dynamic reflection of God known as "woman" are words of strength and influence.
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies" (Prov. 31:10).
The word for "woman" that is used in this rhetorical question that was meant to begin a theological discussion concerning the purpose of womanhood is the Hebrew word "ishshah" and it literally means "the opposite of man."
However, it is a different word in this verse that has always captured my attention and caused my adrenaline to stir. The word that is commonly translated as "virtuous" or "excellent" is the incredible Hebrew word "chayil."
"Chayil" is one of my very favorite Hebrew words because of the dynamic and activating meaning that it embraces.
"Chayil" means strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army, force, power and ability.
Did you hear me? Let me say it again!
"Chayil" means strength ... might ... efficiency ... wealth ... army ... force ... power ... and ability.
And ... the Holy Spirit strategically uses "chayil" and all of its levels of meaning to describe women!
Sisters—you were not created to sit around enjoying manicures, spending your life and your life's earnings at the mall, exchanging peach pie recipes or to ensure that your home is free of those dreaded dust bunnies!
If you enjoy those things, I don't mean to make you feel guilty, but it is impossible to build a life of eternal impact upon a foundation of temporary pleasure.
Materialism, physical beauty and creature comforts were never meant to be the substance of the life of a woman who was created for "chayil"!
- You were created to help win this battle on planet earth!
- You were created with power and with ability!
- You were created to tap into the wealth of God on earth!
- You were created to be a front-line warrior in the mighty army of God and for His purposes!
- You were created to raise up the next generation of warriors for the kingdom of God!
- You were created to take back real estate from the kingdom of darkness and to position yourself as an immovable proponent for all that is right and good.
- You were created to pray for the sick with faith and with power.
- You were created to use the resources that God has given to you as a treasure chest of generous giving and lavish investment in God's kingdom.
- You were created, my sisters of the faith, to walk side by side with man, pushing back the darkness, subduing and taking dominion over the earth.
The fight was never intended to be man vs. woman; the battle was intended to be man and woman taking down strongholds and charging forward in victory against spiritual forces of wickedness.
"The Lord gave the word; great was the company of women who proclaimed it" (Ps. 68:11).
The Lord has given the command, and when we women of God proclaim the good tidings of God, we become an indomitable force to be reckoned with!
Women, don't be distracted or detoured from God's divine and eternal purpose for your life. Be a woman who knows her purpose because she knows her God!
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books: No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released on Aug. 1. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.
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