A note from Andrea – Hi folk! This is a re-run from our July editorial calendar, but based on the amount of mail I’ve received on it, it was well worth a repost. My apologies if you’ve read it, my apologies if you were offended, and my sincere hopes if you haven’t read it that you enjoy it. Well, we’re covered. (Phewwww! That was tiring.)

Psssstttt! Hey, you, Good Christian Girl. You know who you are. Maybe you’re the married woman with kids… the overworked mama whose husband doesn’t really romance you anymore, but you trudge through life anyway, acting as the spiritual nexus of the home. You’re the people pleaser… a good server… the tireless soldier of God who puts your needs second so that your children and husband can flourish first. You’re not miserable, but you’re not bursting out of bed each day on fire with passion and purpose.

Maybe you’re that single woman…. the one who diligently reads her Bible or does group study on Wednesdays… the one who sports a feminine but modest dress code… the one who’s on dating sites looking for a Godly man to start a family with.

Married or single, I’ve got two very important questions for you, followed by a two-word answer.

Two questions

1. Are you tired of being the good Christian girl who gives everything with a full heart, only to come out empty handed?

2. Do you tell yourself that being a Christian woman means that suffering is inevitable? That Jesus suffered and did nothing wrong so you, too, must carry the crosses of your life with dignity, grace and humility?

One answer

Stop it.

The world’s seen enough martyrs. Cancel your crucifixion.

Christianity women have a bad enough rap in our culture as it is. Ask any non-Christian to describe some of our sisters of faith, and many will describe Christ followers as self-righteous, critical zealots. I’m not trying to be negative. I’m just trying to be truthful. Somehow, in an effort to “be good” and “do right” we ladies have slipped into legalistic, rule following automatons. We’ve become women who talk about the “joy of Jesus” and the “freedom of Christ” but we’re not smiling. Our arms are crossed, our lips are tight, and we’re doing more complaining than living with outrageous satisfaction. This needs to stop.

Want to change the world? Let’s start changing ourselves. LIVE as the women Christ has designed you to be.

Strong.

Powerful.

Kind.

FEARLESS.

“But that’s easier said than done!” Some of you might wail.

I couldn’t’t agree more. This is why I’m pointing you to the one person who can change it. His name? Jesus.

If we are truly women of faith (and I know many of you are from interacting with you here and on my Facebook page) then you know it’s not up to you. It’s up to the one who saved you.

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Still not convinced? Then how about checking out a few examples of how our Jesus modeled liberty for us.

Jesus Didn’t Complain: Our savior didn’t sit around and moan when he had to stop his day and feed a million people. He relied on his father and the miracle happened. Loaves and fishes for everyone! You, too, can do that for your kids. (Macaroni and cheese is a breeze after Jesus’ big feast!)

Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired. John 6:11

Jesus Took Breaks: He didn’t work non-stop. He knew when to rest. He knew when to say no. You can say no, too.

He said to them, ‘You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.’  Mark 6:31

Jesus Set Boundaries: Jesus wasn’t one to sit quietly on the sidelines when people were acting like idiots. Those Pharisees in the temple? He was mighty annoyed. He kicked down the tables and took out a whip.

He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. John 2:15

You, too, might consider not complaining, resting and setting boundaries.

While I’m hardly advising you to flip over desks at work or beat your kids, I am telling you to turn over old notions of how a Christian woman must act to find a man, a career or a happy home life. Living with strong Christian boundaries – not boundaries from people or our own fears – is what it takes to spring board from a life of complacency to one of inexplicable contentment.

“But I’m scared,” you might say.

Me, too. I was terrified that in setting boundaries within my marriage and my career, I would somehow lose both. But guess what? Either Christ was right, or people were. I went with Christ, because I simply couldn’t serve both.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. Matthew 6:24

If you’re just dipping your toes into the waters of life (or drowning), would you consider renewing your mind? 

It’s the Fourth of July – Find your freedom, ladies!

With the Fourth of July so close, now’s a great time to start off with a bang – fireworks, even!

Consider this: Do you think we’d have the freedom of this amazing country if young men didn’t take a chance that the life they wanted to live was possible – a life based on God’s purpose for them and their families?

Don’t you think it’s time you took that chance, also?

It’s time to put the whining down, ladies.

It’s time to act like a man.

This man’s name is Jesus.

And I can promise you one thing – He’s the best man you’ll read about on the internet today.

Happy Fourth of July. Here’s to sparklers of joy, happiness, purpose and liberation as strong Christian women.

(Now go kick some butt and eat a hotdog.)

Andrea