One grew 10 feet tall, the other 5 feet. Same soil, same sun. What is the difference?
If you are broken, you are unable to do all that God created you to do. Just as a sunflower needs good soil, rain, and water, people will grow taller and achieve more for God if they are working in the right conditions, with education and encouragement.
Women in particular need to stop letting others tell you your purpose. Ask God. Don't let others tell you that you can't. You can. Doing what God gifted you to do is the way to be your best self. God created you for a purpose, and made you accountable to achieve it.
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:6-8 NIV)
God gives us gifts, and each of us, male or female, has a responsibility to use it.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 ESV
This verse applies equally to all believers, women and men. It would be equally accurate to read: 'Women are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works so that we should do them.'
Some in the church want women to have a less influential or visible role. Don't let them break you. God is with you.
Women of the Bible did not let others tell them they could not. They did all that God calls them to do.
Jesus included women. He called them by name, healed them, commended them for their faith, accepted their patronage, encouraged them to study from him, and authorized them to go and teach others about him.
The Apostle Paul also included women. He commended them as co-labourers in ministry (Euodia and Syntyche), advised them on issues in their churches (Chloe of Corinth), trusted them with his message (Phoebe), depended on them to get him out of trouble and to teach the word (Priscilla), and honoured them as apostles (Junia).
My upcoming novel, Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, shines the light on 35 women who interact with Jesus in the Gospels, many of whom have been remembered only for their faults, whose roles were minimized, or who have been forgotten altogether.
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