How To Be A Better Leader.
Our stories at TheBeyondWoman are not stories to entertain but are stories to bring change to the lives of the women we serve. As we begin Women’s HERstory Month, it is fitting to kickstart the celebration by acknowledging 9 women from the Bible who were great leaders. We have a rich heritage that demonstrates innate leadership, and this knowledge must become a part of who we are in the present. It is this knowledge that must be told consistently and steer us in the right direction in accepting our place in this world.
For far too long, we have held ourselves back because of a culture ingrained in our psyche. A culture that men have taken advantage of. We cannot blame the men entirely, but rather than focus on what prevails, how about we use what we gain from this feature and allow it to force our actions and then begin to open our voices and speak. What if we acknowledge our importance in God’s bigger picture by familiarising ourselves with the great women leaders in the Bible? Women who either saved or changed a nation. Women such as Deborah, Esther, Ruth, Rahab, Abigail, The woman at the well, Mary, Jesus’ mother, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene, and so much more. In learning each woman’s story, we will be inspired to move with deliberate action and become more of who we are and less of what culture dictates. We are so much more than what we have been told all our lives. A story that renders the best of us immobile. Let us change OURstory starting today.
Deborah– Not many of us may know her story. I recently became aware of who this woman was and the part she played when nations warred against each other. Deborah was a prophetess of God in the old testament, a female judge. HERstory takes place at a time when the Canaanites oppressed Israel. She sent word from God to a man named Barak to assemble an army of ten thousand men and go up against the king of Canaan, Jabin.
Just as she prophesied, Barak won the battle, and the rest is history. Additionally, we must note that Barak did not want to go to war without Deborah. She accompanied him, and the victory was credited to a woman, as she said. Deborah is an essential leader because God used her to end the oppression faced by the Israelites for 40 years. Read more of Deborah’s story in Judges 4 & 5.
Esther – Esther’s story is one of faith in God and in her influence as a woman positioned by God. She acknowledged this position of influence and was able to save her people by exercising her faith and trust despite the circumstances. Esther is characterized as unselfish as she knew the dangers of what she would embark on and placed her people before her desires. Esther did what she had to do and was successful through God. Esther’s story mirrors most women’s experiences today; our responsibility to ourselves and those we are called to represent. And if we do not open our mouths and speak, our circumstances will remain as they have always been. We must speak out to change the course of history.
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE FEAR WITHIN (A Fear That Esther Herself Felt), DECIDE TO SPEAK OUT AND DO THE BRAVE THING; AND TO IMPACT THOSE WE ARE CALLED TO.
Read more of Esther in the book of Esther.
Ruth. As women in leadership, we must dedicate ourselves to serving those we are called to, as Ruth did with Naomi. We must be humble in our pursuits, teachable, and work hard as if we are working for the Lord as Ruth did in Boaz’s field. I am impressed by Ruth’s story of leadership, one that did not equate to assertion and control but the opposite causing her to stand out and be seen. She was a leader who was wise enough to fit herself into different situations. In her story, adaptability was the win-win and commanded the greatest benefit for all. Read Ruth’s story in the Book of Ruth.
Rahab. An unlikely story, but one that teaches an important lesson that encourages us to be on the lookout for opportunities to better ourselves and our situations. Not in a selfish way, but in a way that shows that we are aware (in the know) and will do what we need to legitimately improve our lives.
In Joshua 2:9-11 Rahab said to the spies – “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
And that was the opportunity Rahab identified and did not allow to pass.
Another lesson is to not settle but strive to be better irrespective of where we are or have in life. To know that our decisions can impact our lives and the lives of the people around us. One’s faith and belief in their abilities are valuable aspects of being a leader. Rahab’s story demonstrates this when she hid the spies and saved her family—her actions forever changed her life as she knew it. Rahab was a prostitute with great insight and forward-thinking, two qualities that allowed her to become a part of Jesus’ lineage. Read more of Rahab’s story in Joshua 2.
Abigail – A story of wisdom and control mixed with kindness, qualities necessary to be an effective leader, especially in extreme situations like the one she faced when David was ready to do away with her husband, Nabal. Nabal was a mean-spirited man who seemingly did not value others. He got on the wrong side of David after he scoffed at his kindness. Abigail, the quick-witted, smart, and self-controlled woman immediately recognized her husband’s dismissiveness of David and saw how it made David angry. Showing kindness and empathy towards David, she saved a situation that could have been disastrous. Did her husband deserve to be spared? I doubt it. But Abigail looked at the bigger picture and chose to speak empowering words to David, allowing him to see the bigger picture also. I cannot delve into the complete story here, but you can read for yourself in 1 Samuel 5. We applaud Abigail for her wisdom and control.
The woman at the well – The transformation leader is what I love to call her. She did not allow the perception of others to prevent her from becoming educated. Then using what she knew affected change and transformation in others. HERstory demonstrates that we must position ourselves to learn, then help others. When she spoke with Jesus and was transformed, she shared her knowledge with the other people in her village.
Do you see the recurring theme of unselfishness that is evident in the lives of these women? Another is that a woman should never allow her negative experiences to dictate her trajectory. She can never yield to the perception of others and then allow herself to shrink because of others.
The woman at the well was an outcast, married many times, and living with a man who was not her husband. She did not allow that to be her legacy. She got a new chance at life that she fully grasped. And not only did she grasp it, but she also facilitated others having the same experience as she did. She was an influencer! Read more in John 4:4-30.
Mary, Jesus’ mother – Be brave and willing in times of uncertainty. Understand that you will be equipped to do whatever you are called to do. Some situations will leave you feeling incapable like Mary did, but you are not alone. When you discover or are aware of your life’s purpose, you must rise to it without fear. Fear is one of the things that many women battle with, and understandably, but to be a leader and make room for the execution of your purpose, you must rise above fear. That Is what Mary did.
Let Us Strive To Remember How Mary Accepted A Situation She Did Not Understand And Choosing To Believe In A Bigger Picture, Said Yes! That Is What Leaders Do, It Is Called Envisioning A Better Future. Read More In Luke 1 26-38.
Elizabeth – I admire Elizabeth’s cheerleading role in Mary’s (the mother of Jesus) life. A leadership quality that I believe is important. We must champion others and support them in ways that empower them to believe in themselves as they journey toward greatness. Imagine Mary, a young pregnant woman, having the strong support of a much older woman.
How often have we heard younger women speak of an older woman’s unwillingness to help? Does their unwillingness stem from a fear that these young women will take their spot in the limelight? As women leaders, we must, like Elizabeth, carry others with us and be willing to open the doors for others. Like Elizabeth, we must be happy and excited to help younger women so they can walk in their greatness. Can you imagine the result if Elizabeth had not been hospitable to Mary? We may not have had the saving grace of Jesus today. Let us be like Elizabeth and lead confidently without insecurity and holding tightly to that which must be freely given. Read more in Luke 1:36-45
Mary Magdalene – I remember interviewing one of our cover women for a past issue of our magazine TheBeyondWoman. I recall her saying when working, we must be faithful to the position and do our work to the best of our ability without complaining because we do not know who might be watching. We may be rehearsing for our next best unknowingly. And so as I recall those words, I think of Mary Magdalene and her devotion to Christ, washing his feet with her hair, often sitting at his feet. She was rehearsing for a significant role of informing the disciples and others about Jesus’ resurrection.
We May Think Her Being Chosen To Inform Others Is Not A Big Deal, But Being Chosen By Christ To Carry Out Any Mission Speaks Volumes. It Was A Big Deal Because Jesus Could Have Revealed Himself To One Of His Disciples, Yet He chose Mary. We Are Poised For Greater Responsibilities When We Remain Humble And Committed To Every Task Given To Us, Irrespective Of How Important Or Unimportant That Task May Seem. To Be A Great Leader, We Must Willingly Go Through Training That Equips Us To Lead With Credibility. Read More Of Her Story In John 12:1-8.
Let us start with these women and use their stories to acknowledge that we are here for a reason. As we celebrate Women’s HERstory month, remember we are here on purpose, and we must open our mouths and speak. We must step into the role and become a leader like these great women did. We must begin/continue to effect the necessary changes within our homes, then the community, so that together we can impact the world.
Are You Ready? Then, Let Us Do This!
Have A Productive Women’s HERstory Month. Be The Leader You Are And Remember We Are Cheering On Every Woman From The Sideline. Let Us Together Be Great In The Way Our Heavenly Father Has Called Us !!!!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
