Celebrating and Embracing Equity on Womens Day

 Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day and I read that the theme for this year is “Embrace Equity.” 

Well, thankfully, we don’t need the events of this day to experience the wonderful value God created us to have as women.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Not only are both male and female created in the image of God but they are both assigned the management and care of all God has created.

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Genesis 1:28

Now no one can look at history and not see that women were marginalized and in many time treated as inferior to men.  I’ve no desire to dispute that.

What does concern me in today’s world, however, is how it seems that in many circumstances women who have been oppressed are seeking to push down and oppress men. 

In the same way that women were never meant to be marginalized by men, the same is true today about how men should not be shoved into a corner somewhere in shame either.  Neither scenario reflects God’s heart and God’s plan. 

God’s way is always that we lift one another up. 

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.

Matthew 7:12

So when this theme of “Embrace Equity” rings out around the globe today, I pray that we will give ourselves to following Jesus command to lift each other up.

Lord, forgive us for the ways we have marginalized and put down others.  We forgive those who have shoved us to the side and treated us unfairly.

Today we pray for bold steps to be taken towards Your great vision of persons You created in Your image to love and care for one another and together to bless and be fruitful on the earth.

Remove the distortions that the evil one puts on the “equity agenda” and help us to embrace all the value and dignity that You showed us in giving Your Son to die as a substitute for the punishment of the sins of all of us.  Amen

Let’s celebrate this day and lift one another up better than we ever have before.