There are numerous times in my life when someone has asked me what I believe. I have written my testimony countless times, and many more times, I have given it. I have told people face to face why I believe in God and explained how I came to God. I have even explained why I continue to have faith in God when He has said no to some pretty big stuff. But the answer to all these questions can more easily be summed up by explaining my Theology.
Is it weird that I have a theology? Is it okay to have one? I mean, I’m not using it to override my belief in God. It just helps me explain why I believe what I believe and why I continue to believe what I believe.
I think maybe we all have a theology, but we haven’t realised. Or perhaps I just want to feel a little less weird. The definition of ‘theology’ is the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.
When I talk about my theology, I am defining it as my thinking about God. So we all have our way of thinking about God, right?
Look at it this way.
Theology is not just about what we believe, or perhaps who we believe in, but more about the foundation of our beliefs.
While each church has a doctrine, which explains what parts of the Bible they attest to first and foremost, I think each of us has a theology that affirms the parts of the Bible that we connect with most deeply.
Perhaps it’s better explained by the parts of the Bible that speak to your passion or, indeed, more accurately, are your passion.
This is not to say any part of the Bible is not worth testifying about or is secondary in nature. But I do think for each of us in our calling, in our ministry, there are elements within the Bible text that support what it is God wants us to speak to, and to speak for.
For me, it is women. You’ve heard it before. It’s why I created this blog.
I have a deep and overwhelming passion for women to know their value, know their place in this world, and know their worth.
Essentially, I want them to know and feel the unconditional love of God right in their heart. But I believe this can’t happen until they truly know their own real value. Until they know for sure who they are right down deep in their heart.
Perhaps, obviously, this value comes from God. Still, for so many women, there is too much in the way. Too much has happened in their lives to fully appreciate and understand how much God loves them and how valuable they are to Him.
We are totally debilitated when we doubt our value, our importance, and our purpose. Our doubt is the real weapon the devil uses to undermine our usefulness to God. God created women to be strong in mind, body, and spirit. But the world today, and sometimes even the church, goes out of its way to disempower and discourage women.
Before this becomes too controversial, it is important to know I am not advocating a move for women to take over the church, or push men aside, so women can show their strength. Quite the contrary, I am talking about women knowing who they are and understanding what God has for them as equals under God.
We do not need to fight to prove we are not subordinates or inferior to men. We need to stand firm in our own knowledge of who we are created to be in Christ. And then we will be able to find our place in God’s service.
The whole issue of equality of role is clouding the need for equality of purpose.
Ultimately the arguments for or against equality, leadership, or preaching are irrelevant if women do not come to know who they are in Christ. If women do not see what God has called them to be, they cannot stand up for how they serve.
We have a role in God’s Kingdom, and that role does not simply hold the label of wife, mother, daughter, sister, homemaker, helpmate, or chief cook and bottle washer. It is the role of women to take responsibility for growing up and preparing each woman for the life they have in God. Women who love God have an innate ability to share that love with other women, those who already know God, and those who don’t.
We know that a relationship with Christ does not guarantee a perfect life. Still, it does secure a life lived loved and a future of perfection.
We must take on the responsibility we are given and work together to help other women understand who they are and how valuable they are to themselves, this world, and the women around them.
This is my theology; this is what I believe.
This is what I believe I am here to do.
I want to support women, and for me, particularly young women, to know who they are in God. I have spent time doing this under the umbrella of a church and in the guise of a denominational doctrine, and I have been blessed. But that is not the only way, and that is why I started Ruth1Sixteen. My heart and head want to serve God through serving women, and I can do that with other like-minded women of God.
So today is as good as any day to start. It’s a good day to start again. Start with a plan to reach out and encourage women in their life, in their faith, and in their calling.
It’s the first of the month, is a great day to start afresh, to make a new plan.
From today, and each day I will ask God just one simple question; “Where can you use me today?”
You have given me a calling, and you have defined my theology, and I want to serve you in that. So, I ask with a grateful heart, and listen with open ears, and will act with grace and mercy, as I trust in your plan for me each day.
Are you ready to ask God where He can use you today?
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