I wonder what you think of when you read those words: chocolate, coffee and makeovers? Maybe you thought, "Those are things that women enjoy!" or, "Those are things that bring women together." My son, who was just looking over my shoulder at the title said, "That's all stuff girls like." I wonder if he would have said that if he had seen words like justice, passion for God and others, risk and adventure, sacrifice and obedience.
If you didn't think "women's ministry", maybe you should have. Increasingly, I've been noticing that Christian women's ministries have really picked up on all of this. In church bulletins I see blurbs about women coming together around one or all of the above; chocolate, coffee and or makeovers. A visit to a Christian bookstore will reveal whole packets of materials for planning and implementing a women's event that comes replete with a plan for chocolate, coffee and or makeovers.
I'm not opposed to any of these activities (eating chocolate, drinking coffee, getting a makeover), but I am opposed to the lack of balance I see. There's so much more to being a Christian woman and so much more that can bring us together. Where are the events, then, that empower women to live significant lives, change the world, pursue big hairy audacious dreams for God? There's a time and a place for chocolate, coffee and makeovers; it just can't be all there is to women's ministries. We were made for more and we can be more than that.
Gals, I love chocolate and coffee (not so much makeovers even though I could probably use one!) just like the rest of you, so please hear my heart. What I'm saying is that I think we can be known for more than that. Let's be known for pursuing God sized dreams and visions, for being willing to take risks and step out in obedience and to see things happen that are bigger than ourselves. I know many of you are already trying to live this way and I would love to hear more about that. I think we need to hear each other's stories and in so doing encourage each other to keep pursuing more and all that God has for each of us.
I'd also like to point out that the kind of chocolate and coffee (and probably make-up, too) we purchase to eat (use) can include a desire for "justice, passion for God and others, risk and adventure, sacrifice and obedience." Our consumer choices can have positive or negative ramifications for those in other countries. And, I know there are more and more efforts supporting foreign women in business. Just remember that fair trade options are available in our community!
ReplyDeleteGood point, Phoebe! Thank you for the important reminder.
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