the woman, wisdom.

I've been reading through Proverbs with my small group and I am continually struck by how wisdom is referred to with the pronoun "she." something about wisdom makes it so that wisdom can be better understood by being referred to as "she" or "her."

for example, Proverbs 4:7-9 says:

"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. though it cost all you have, get understanding. esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. she will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

all that to say, I think it's cool. I know that it's not exactly profound, but sometimes I feel like due to the culture of the Bible, there isn't a place for women. even to this day, one of the things that scares me about finding someone I want to marry is that he might not have views on women that I feel admire and care for my sex. or that his views on women focus on what can be done to restrict our sex.

I feel like in the past year, I've met more people who are more open to the idea of women as teachers. men who believe that women don't just belong in the home. I think that's what is so sad to me about people I love in the South. they have a restricted view of women. to even consider that some of the exhortations in the Bible about women could have been specific to a context or to a certain culture is completely out of the question. I'm not claiming to know everything. I know I still have much studying to do of the Bible. However, I can't help but think that pride comes into the equation.

I heard a relationship talk last week that was brilliant and to the point about what to look for in a husband/wife. It was one of the only relationship talks I've heard that was so honest it hurt and yet still encouraged. I liked how the speaker talked about women. He spoke the following,

"God's intended role for a wife is not to wait around for her husband's directives as if she was somehow paralyzed without them...you don't think that Adam and Eve in the garden, Eve was sitting around asking Adam, what am I supposed to do with these? and Adam says, 'Put the daffodils here, and the daisies over here behind me.' No, he said, 'Honey, I don't know what to do with flowers.'"

I think that was an excellent illustration of how we absolutely have different God-given roles and intuitions and strengths. But that does not mean that we are less than. Men absolutely have it harder, being the one that is ultimately accountable to God for the leadership he asserts on behalf of his family. I don't envy the man for that. But for whatever reason, due to the often "scariness" and disturbing views of so many "normal" and God-fearing men that I do know, I remain apprehensive.

community. (and not the show).

this weekend has been lovely, as R would say. i can't believe how elated one can feel after just spending time with people: cooking, eating, car riding, ultimate frisbeeing, teasing, and talking.

it's when i'm with the people in our group that i'm reminded of what's important. without even saying anything specific to my situation of life, they encourage me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, to live a life without mediocrity, and to look forward, not backward.

i haven't ever known a group, a community, like the one i know now.

henri nouwen writes,
"community arises where the sharing of pain takes place, not as a stifling form of self-complaint, but as a recognition of God's saving promises."

i would also like to add that community arises where broken people come together to laugh and share, and through it, recognize that the joy that they share comes from God.

i want to be free.

and not just from school.

from sin.
and sadness.
from mediocrity.
and anger.

today dr. M talked about how we misuse the verse, "and the truth will set you free."
the u.s. definitely misconstrues the meaning of that verse. my culture has imprisoned me.

the Truth = Jesus/the Word

through obedience to Jesus and his Word, we find freedom. freedom in obedience.
isn't that weird to think about?

but as i've noticed my same sinful inclinations and patterns- things i thought i would be free from by now- things i want to be free from- things i hold onto and thus keep myself from being freed from- i get it. and, i also don't get it.

obedience. "if you love Me, you will obey what i command."

if.

"for the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones."
-Proverbs 2:6-8