What Is God's Calling for Us as Women?

When we speak of God's calling, we are not necessarily talking about gender, even though the title might suggest otherwise. You are called to do obvious things in this world as a woman or a man. Those things are not necessarily your life's calling, although they could be. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and holds fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

When many think about the word calling, they think about vocation. What kind of job are you going to do? In these days of high prices and inflation, it may take both parents with a job to meet all their expenses. But a calling is more than that. God has put you here on earth for a specific reason, and your calling is to fulfill that purpose. It may be a vocation, it may be to be a special friend, or it may be to have a specific job in the workplace. Whatever it is, if you believe God has a particular position for you, you must surrender to His direction and do your best to do it well. While you are waiting, the best thing you can do is pray, asking God's direction and affirmation of whatever you believe He is asking you to do. You will know what it is the moment He reveals it to you.

1. Childbirth

One of those things God endows women to do is to give birth. Only the woman has the proper anatomy to carry and deliver a child. Women are called to nurture their families. They are to encourage their husbands in their endeavors. Whether or not children are involved, the husband and wife have created a foundational family. That is the basis for their family relationships when and if they ever add children.

Their nurturing of their husbands involves encouraging them and supporting them in their jobs and in everything they want to do as they support their families. Women will spend a lot of time nurturing their children. Because most women desire their children to grow into godly individuals, women want to spend time showing their children unconditional love and how to be thoughtful, loving, and kind. Just because we are talking about women here does not mean husbands are exempt from spending time with their children. Just the opposite, parenting is a family affair. Mom and Dad work together on this. One may be available at times the other is not. Dad can take the girls on Daddy/Daughter dates. Play football with the boys, take them fishing or to a basketball game. The family is a team that works together to love each other, support each other, and help each other grow into adults who have lasting relationships with God and each other. Mom and Dad may also be surprised by what they learn from their children!

2. Nurture

Not only do women have the opportunity to nurture their families, but nurturing and encouraging their friends is also important. Not too long ago, I had major abdominal surgery. One of my best friends, whom I had been friends with for over 50 years, called almost every night to see how I was doing and prayed with me. I went to sleep confident each night that God held me in the palm of His hand and was watching over me. Before that, I went to lunch with one of my friends who had just found out that her adult son had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Because I had a family member who also had bipolar, I was able to encourage her, and we began to talk on the telephone regularly.

This can be taught to your sons and daughters by observation. One year I took my teenage granddaughter to a conference with me. At lunchtime, she asked, "Rose, may I go sit with that couple over there? They are all by themselves, and I think they could use some company." This came from many years of watching her mom seek out others who looked like they needed some encouragement.

Autumn began to talk to them and said, "Looks like you can use a table, mate. May I sit here?"

"Of course."

"We were just talking about our adoption. We want to adopt a teenage girl. How old are you?"

"Fourteen," Autumn said.

"Oh, my goodness. We were just talking about what we would do when our child became a teenager. I believe God sent you to our table."

"That's not all," Autumn said, "I am adopted too!" A tear slid down the cheek of the lady Autumn was talking to.

For a long time, Autumn and the couple discussed adoption, the good, the hard things, and the blessings. Autumn, too, felt as though God had given her a special assignment. They were particularly interested in Autumn's age, which was the age they were particularly worried about handling. Autumn did her best to reassure them that it was manageable and that as long as they kept their lines of communication open and prayed a lot, they would be fine.

3. Mentoring

Another form of nurturing is mentoring. Often we think of nurturing our families and mentoring friends. But that is not always the case. Sometimes your mentor could be your mother, an aunt, or a close older friend. Because many women are born with nurturing instincts, most do some mentoring even with their families, and rightly so. Even when you are not actively speaking instruction to your children, they are watching you. And when they see how you handle a situation, they make a note of the right way to handle that kind of situation.

There are many biblical examples of mentoring. Elizabeth, the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus, welcomed Mary into her home. They were both pregnant, and though Elizabeth was older than Mary, there were many things Mary could learn from Elizabeth.

Eunice and her daughter, Lois, were both involved in raising their grandson and son, Timothy. Although Paul was considered Timothy's "father in the faith," he was always quick to give Eunice and Lois credit for Timothy's foundation in the faith. Not only for their families, but both ladies played a significant role in their church, mentoring their church and all those who attended.

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Eunice and in your mother Lois and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Often nurturing sneaks in when you least expect it. "Spontaneous Nurturing," I like to call it. God has set Grace up to have coffee or lunch with a friend who really needs counsel. Grace was not expecting that at all. She was expecting an enjoyable "catch-up time" with Ruth and her family. As it turns out, Ruth needs to have a few questions answered and has a few questions about mothering her only daughter.

As the two ladies chatted, Ruth shared how miserable she was because she and her daughter couldn't seem to agree on one aspect of her teenage life. Immediately Grace thought back to the time when her oldest daughter was that age, and they had a similar time of disagreement. She was able to share that with Ruth and encourage her about what might help and things that were just single battles and not wars.

4. A Voice in the Church

If the church is going to be for all ages and genders, every one of those must be represented in leadership, in involvement, on committees, and in any way they could help. Men and women have different perspectives and ideas about how things should be run. It is good to have input from everyone, so it is important to have that balance. It is so exciting to see how a group of people all work together to be the best church ever and develop a ministry that will change the world.

These are just a few of the ways God can use women. But despite all the choices women have, no matter what gender we are or how old, God called us to be one happy family, serving him according to our gifts and talents. When you become a believer, you become part of "the team," God's team. Our job is not to make sure our views are known or acted upon, whether we are included or not, or what position we can hold. Our job is to use everything we have in terms of time and talents to further the Kingdom of God, introduce Him to others, and prayerfully wait on Him to reveal our assignments to us.

Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing and learn to use their writing to make a difference. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 19 books including the new Quick Guides for Personalities. She loves every opportunity to share her testimony, especially through her writing. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material!