Redefining Beautiful : Day Three

Rachel.

Asking her to take part in this whole idea was intimidating. She is a beautiful woman of faith who's fearlessness gives her that free-as-a-bird kind of air. She's been places. She's experienced a thing or two. We're talking about a southern heart who moved hours away from 'home' for God's I want to do something new spontaneity, to a place that, by the looks of it, doesn't hold as much magic as greenery. 

A woman of faith like Abraham, Rachel is writing as our woman of strength.

Her small frame holds a powerful voice, echoing her Fathers.  

e·quip (-kwp)

tr.v. e·quipped, e·quip·ping, e·quips

1.

a. To supply with necessities such as tools or provisions.

b. To furnish with the qualities necessary for performance: an education that will equip you to handle such problems.

2. To dress up.






em·pow·er (m-pour)

tr.v. em·pow·ered, em·pow·er·ing, em·pow·ers

1. To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority.

2. To equip or supply with an ability; enable.

Equip & Empower



Theres nothing more beautiful to me than an empowered women. Let me back it up… an equipped and empowered women is the most beautiful thing.

I recently relocated from the comfort of sunny Florida, where I was raised knowing y'all was a real word and drinking ice cold sweet tea was all I needed after a long hard day, to northeastern Ohio, where sunshine seems to be a luxury and Florida becomes a dream. The food is unfamiliar, the landscape is different albeit beautiful, the shopping is… Having left my home church where incredible women had been sowing into me for years on end, and moving to the uncharted (to me) land of Youngstown has, to date, been the most difficult change in my life. I had never felt so alien and Ive been to a place or two.


After visiting our new church, where my husband is employed, I noticed something. At the time, I was trying to convince God; "Maybe its just me that notices. Im sure all the other women are content". Really that conversation was me telling God; 'I don't like women's ministry. Women are way too complex for me. They'll judge me. Im not qualified'. Isn't it so funny how we tell God, the Almighty, Sovereign, Omniscient, Creator of everything ever, that He has shown us the wrong thing? What I noticed was there was a serious lacking of women leadership. After much to my dismay, I knew I was called here to change that.


The more Ive dove into the Word and been under the teachings of some of the worlds greatest female pastors, Ive witnessed first hand what being equipped and empowered looks like. Im not saying I have it all figured out or I am that woman but, Im working towards it. Thats the type of women I wanted to see in my new community. It has nothing to do with the color of my skin, my waist line (or thighs for that matter), how clear or unclear my skin is, or how badly my grey hair is showing even though I swear I just had it colored. Its more than skin deep. The only way I can explain it is this…its Jesus. Its Jesus living and shining through women. What it has looked like has been reminding, and sometimes introducing them to the fact, that they've been made with such intricacy and purpose thats theres no limits to what they can do no matter what the world says about them.


I think thats the greatest ploy the enemy has against us daughters. When his whispers turn into screams and we are left feeling unqualified is quite possibly be the most dangerous place to be. Living in our world, its so easy to get in that frame of mind. Our culture tells us we have to be rich and skinny, business savvy, a 'people person', self starters, formally educated to be successful. But to be about our Father's business, all we need is Jesus and a willing heart. In John 17:15-18 Jesus is talking to His Father and declares, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me, I send them." When Jesus says what He is NOT praying for, I'd pay attention!


I know this segment has sort of been all over the place but here's the crux, lovely ones. The offender is going to lie to you. He is going to tell you things that you should never hear about yourself. Its inevitable. But theres an ancient book of promises that reminds you of your true self, if you choose to listen to it. You are made in the image of God. You are made with a purpose and a destiny. Jesus' light shines in and through you. I can't imagine a sight more beautiful than that! The charge is for each of us to be the salt, life, light, love, and hope in a lost and broken world. Lets redefine beauty together as equipped and empowered daughters!