Monday, June 15, 2009

Change through Fighting

I always think that it's funny when girls say they expect guys to treat them like a princess. I guess that's ok, and there's a certain part of me that wants that- the flowers, the opening of doors, sweet caring words or songs sung to me. It's nice to know that you're cared for.
At the same time, I've never really been one to love "chick-flicks." I really connect more with action and horror films. I don't like the weepy girl eating ice cream in pajamas waiting for her prince to come. I like Angelina Jolie's character in "Wanted." I'd rather not be a Bridget Jones. I'd like to be a Laura Croft.
I think, sometimes, Christian girls sacrifice the warrior in them in order to not look like they are trying to take a man's place. We're scared to death of being feminists. As if the word itself had something wrong with it. As if thinking that we really can "do ALL things through Christ who strengthens" us will cause us to be unattractive to the opposite sex. Who needs men to subjugate us? We do it ourselves.
I love to think of myself as a warrior more than a princess. After all, the armor of God is for all of us, isn't it? I don't see gender-specific armor in that passage. There are so many examples of strong, warrior-like women in the Bible and throughout our Chrisitan heritage- women who died for what they believed. They are heros.
Mary was one of those warrior-women. All within the first 46 years of her life she was betrothed, impregnated by God himself, ran the risk of being stoned to death for adultery, took a days-long journey at full-term, raised God himself, and watched at the foot of the cross while He suffered, never opening her mouth to stop it because she knew what he came to do. What a woman of strength, courage, devotion, and, well, spunk!
I don't want to be the woman hiding in the shadows while my husband fights for me. I want to be the woman on the front line side-by-side with him- kicking demonic tail.

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