(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)
On March 8th every year, the world celebrates and recognizes International Women’s Day. I must admit, as a young Christian woman myself, I am skeptical of International Women’s Day. Now, that sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it?
A quick Google search reveals that International Women’s Day is indeed a focal point in the women’s rights movement. This day draws everyone’s attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, as well as violence and abuse towards women.
Allow me to explain the reasons for why I am skeptical… What most women celebrate about themselves on this day is precisely the kind of womanhood God has called Christian women to stay away from and not participate in.
Women who are living according to the world think it’s “hot” to be immodest, and on days like International Women’s Day, the world celebrates it. They think it’s fun to be “in charge” of their boyfriends and husbands, and that bashing them when they spend time with their friends is just a mental health trend called “venting” helping them to feel their feelings. They are constantly chasing after the “boss babe” title.
They mock the idea of submitting oneself to a strong, godly man’s authority, having children and raising them to be the heroes of their day for the sake of the Kingdom, and caring for their family and those in their corner well.
1 Timothy 2:9-11 says, “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.”
This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. On the main website for International Women’s Day, I found this description regarding the theme for 2023… “Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.”
The world is NOT celebrating Biblical womanhood. It’s celebrating a sinful, sexualized, and perverted version of womanhood that it believes will truly satisfy us and make us better individuals.
Here’s the thing, though. It’s not what God intended for women, and we will never be truly satisfied until we are surrendered to His design.
In fact, the world is celebrating what made Eve choose sin in the Garden of Eden. She wanted to be her own god, and this desire only brings about chaos, sin, and destruction. You see, we are image bearers of the One, true God. However, we don’t want to be image bearers, we want to be God.
Oh, Lord, may we repent of this sinful desire and live in reckless abandon for you and unto you!
While we most definitely should celebrate the women who have made a difference and been effective for eternity, we must realize that the world seeks to diminish these women and the good and beautiful roles that women have. Roles such as helping other young ladies to know and understand truth, caring for children, loving and supporting their husbands, pursuing what is pure and lovely, etc.
As Christian women, we must be confident in who God has made us to be and fight against these lies that we are so misunderstood and discriminated against. We are not victims just because we are women.
I love this quote by Elisabeth Elliot who once said, “To me, a lady is not frilly, flouncy, flippant, frivolous and fluff-brained, but she is gentle, she is gracious, she is godly, and she is giving. You and I have the gift of femininity… the more womanly we are, the more manly men will be and the more God is glorified. Be women, be only women, be real women in obedience to God.”
Biblical womanhood is beautiful, and I choose to celebrate that today instead! I pray that we choose to be gentle, gracious, godly, and giving women who love Jesus with all that we are.
SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
= Do you believe that God is glorified when men and women each understand their God-given roles?
= Do you view yourself as a victim or a victor?
= What are you going to do differently?
The Few 
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