“For who maketh thee to differ from another?” God is for individualism; most all will agree to this. Yet, when we come to the feminine gender, we have a double standard. A man can be a rugged individualist, but a woman is to fit into the “cookie-cutter” category. In some Christian circles, women (and little girls) are expected to look, act, and think alike. This is proven by the statement, “Why can’t you be more like her?” Yet everyone knows a variety of flowers is more beautiful than just one kind alone. If the latter were true, you’d soon tire and lose your enjoyment of life.
This rigid regimentation of Christian women comes from emphasizing the importance of externals in her life over her inward qualities. For example, we tell our daughters and wives they are to be meek and quiet, referring to the outward. But the Bible says this has to do with her inward spirit (1Pet.3:4). It’s the “hidden man of the heart” that God is mainly interested in. Jesus was meek and lowly, but, “in heart” (Matt.11:29). Meekness is not a physical, but a spiritual trait (1Cor.4:21b). God promises to bless, not the poor, but the poor “in spirit” (Matt.5:3).
Fella’s, let’s give the girls elbow room to be themselves. After all, that’s what we want.
If the woman is weak, protect her; if equal, share with her; if superior, learn from her.
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