While I was studying tonight a question came to mind: "what does it look like to encourage my sisters in Christ without it seem like I am leading them on?"
While this may sound stupid, I believe that it was sparked by a video I saw in church this morning. The video was directed towards young men, but a point resonated with me. "Dont be spiritual sissies."
"The world cries for men who are strong - strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that kind of man - glad that God made you a man, glad to shoulder the burden of manliness in a time when to do so will often bring contempt."
- Elisabeth Elliot
So what does it look like to encourage our sisters in Christ then? As I pondered this, I was reminded of a book that I read while in France. Joshua Harris had written a book "boy meets girl" and while its broader context deals with courtship, he had several points addressed at the men to be encouragers of our sisters in Christ. The following quotes were taken from "boy meets girl" pages (109-113). May you be encouraged and challenged.
1. "God calls us to be servant initiators - firm but gentle, masculine yet caring, leaders yet servants. We're called to be protectors, not seducers." (110)
2. "...servant leadership requires work. It means sacrifice. It means going out on a limb and proposing ideas, setting direction, and inviting others to follow. It means listening, taking others' interests and needs into account, and adjusting as necessary. It means deferring to others at times. Leadership isn't tyranny; it's service rendered. It's difficult, but it's a big part of what it means to be a man." (111)
3. "Men, we should set the spiritual pace in our relationships [friendships] with women. We should be the ones to make sure our relationships [friendships] aren't merely superficial and entertainment oriented, but deep, God focused, and characterized by biblical fellowship. The first important step is to make your own personal growth in godliness a priority. Don't be content to be spiritually lukewarm - strive to set an example of passion for God." (111)
4. Men, in marriage we'll be called to be the spiritual leaders of our homes. Before marriage, let's practice leading in biblical fellowship with friends and during courtship. Then we'll be that much more prepared to do so with our wives and children." (112)
5. "We men should be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God by practicing godly femininity." (113)
For the women: "Girls should assume that until a guy expresses interest, they're just friends." (113)
I know that there is a lot of "grey areas" when it comes to this topic in our culture but I am tired of it not being socially "acceptable" to encourage my sisters. I want to see what God is doing in my friends lives (men and women). I want to see God raise up godly men and women and I want God to change my heart to conform to His nature.
So lets pray for the men! Lets pray for God to have such an impact on the men who proclaim Christ that our culture & nation/world would be rocked by the gospel.
Romans 12:9
