That Will Preach! … Or Will It?

Whew.  Another fifteen hours “under our belts” today. What a blessing it is to finally be at Sanctuary Hill — our “home” away from home!  We traded our 94-degree day in Florida for a 61-degree day in the Blue Ridge mountains.

Not too shabby!   🙂

After only partially unloading our vehicles and shopping for basic provisions, I feel ready to dive under the covers and sleep for about 24 hours!   🙂   But first… a word about that shocking preacher I heard yesterday.

I spent the entire day alternating between three activities:  1) communing with You, Lord; 2) singing to You; and 3) listening to various Christian teachers and talk show hosts see what I might learn about You.  A thoroughly wonder-full day…

… with one glaring exception.

I was switching stations and “happened” onto this particular pastor’s message.  I don’t even know his name or where he was.  I just heard him say words that stunned me.

He was talking about women as pastors.  Giving his version of what he claimed was the “biblical position,” he announced what he would say to a woman who wanted to preach:

“Go home.  Clean your house.  Fix dinner for your husband.  Then sit down and shut up.”

I couldn’t believe my ears!  Yet I could tell by his tone of voice that he wasn’t joking.  I changed the station, but I couldn’t help but wonder…

Is he right, Lord?  Do You agree that women should not preach?  I haven’t studied this issue enough to be confident that I know the biblical position on it.  As a “recovering feminist” — quite radical in my pre-Christian days — I’m not sure I would be all that objective.

But I do know Your heart, Lord… up to a point.  And I know You would never talk to a woman in that way.  Your words, even if rebuking or correcting, would be so much more encouraging and affirming.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  (Ephesians 4:29)

And what’s Your definition of preaching, Lord?  Is it more than delivering a sermon to a congregation?  Is it also publicly proclaiming or teaching something?  Earnestly advocating something?

Isn’t that what You exhort ALL of us to do?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  (Matthew 28:18-20)

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”  (Matthew 10:27)

I’ll have to ponder this some more, Lord.  Or maybe sleep on it.  Or maybe just sleep… at least, for now.   🙂

So I’ll be rested up.  Ready to preach about You.  It’s that’s OK with You…   🙂

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  (Luke 6:45)

Abba’s Girl

 

 

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