What Makes a Woman Significant?

The story of Mary of Nazareth illustrates that true identity is not found in a job, a spouse, a child, a position, or a possession.

by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

What does a “godly woman” look like? How can a woman fulfill the eternal purpose for which God created her? Thankfully, the Word of God gives us the instructions we need; it also provides a number of role models—women who illustrate what it means to walk with God and to be used by Him.

One of my favorite biblical role models is Mary of Nazareth. In her life I have found a wealth of wisdom for my own walk with God. Her story illustrates many of the characteristics of the kind of woman God uses to fulfill His redemptive purposes in our world.

Elisabeth The Woman Who Bore a Son in Her Old Age

Scripture Reference—Luke 1:5-80

Name Meaning—Elisabeth means “God is my oath” that is, “a worshiper of God.” In his hymn of praise, uttered soon after the birth of his son John, Zacharias alludes to the significance of his wife’s name when he said, “the oath which God swore to Abraham.” The son was called John by divine command, and means “the mercy or favor of God.”

Family Connections —Luke describes Elisabeth as “one of the daughters of Aaron” which means she came of an honored priestly line (Exodus 6:23). She was the wife of a priest, Zacharias, of the course of Abia, that is one of the sets of priests who ministered in the Temple from Sabbath to Sabbath (1 Chronicles 24:10). There was thus a priestly descent on both sides. Priests were allowed to marry pious women (Leviticus 21:7). Elisabeth became the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Assessing the life and character of Elisabeth we know that she was prominent as—

Being a Godly Example to the Next Generation of Women

Some of my fondest memories of childhood were when my sister and I would play dress-up. We loved adorning ourselves with my mother’s dresses and clunking around the house in high heels. I always imagined myself as a movie star or Miss America, gracefully walking the runway while my loyal fans cheered and cameras flashed.

Yet, childish dreams melt away as we grow older. Oh, there are the movie stars and the girls who become Miss America. But most of our paths don’t take that turn.

The harsh reality of life begins to raise its ugly head when we realize that those high heels are uncomfortable! And when that reality hits, many women are left living the life they’d always dreamed in their minds while the life God has given them flies by unnoticed.

Yes, women today are desperately in need of role models who stand firm in their faith and embrace the life God has for them. But where can you find those strong feminine models of faith? Well, the place I continue to look is in the Scriptures.

Women today are desperately in need of role models who stand firm in their faith and embrace the life God has for them.

Now the most familiar passage is of course the Proverbs 31 woman. But there are so many more. We can read about Ruth’s faithfulness, Esther’s bravery, and Mary’s devotion, just to name a few. I love reading these passages and learning what it means to be a woman devoted to God!

Who are our little girls pretending to be today? Who are their models? It’s my prayer that God would give women today the strength to provide the next generation with a strong and loving model of God’s greatest creation—a godly woman!

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/powerpoint-with-jack-graham/articles/being-a-godly-example-to-the-next-generation-of-women-12942.html