The story of the Maid of Orléans

Last week I stumbled upon the book Joan of Arc: in her own words. I heard and read a bit about Jeanne d’Arc, I saw the movie the Messenger with Milla Jovovich as Joan and I even been to the places in France where Jeanne d’Arc used to walk about 600 years ago. The collection of writings by Jeanne made her come alive for me. She is a woman of strength, strongly devoted to the Lord and no one can make her place anything above the will of the Lord. Which ultimately resulted in her being convicted as a heritic by a political trial and burned at the stake. What can we as modern day women learn from her life story?

You are made in the image of God. God has a plan for His people. And you need to stand stand up and claim your God given place.

Created in His image

God created man in His own image. From man, He created male and female. God separated the (hu)man into man and woman in an unique way.  He did not only separate them by flesh but also their characteristics. This doesn’t mean you are a ‘half’, you don’t have to go through life at half strength. God has made you whole, 100% woman. You have talents and characteristics that a man doesn’t have. Your feminity is needed in this world, don’t tone it down. Man and woman are created to be separated persons but not to have separated plans. God needs both men and women in His plan.

How great is our God that He heals people. Everytime I hear a testimony about healing I get goosebumps. There are many ways in which you can receive healing, it can be physical but also emotional and spiritual. In Mark 5:25-32 and Luke 8:43-48 we read about the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years. This woman had spent everything she had on doctors to be healed but it only got worse. She heard about Jesus and came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.

I shall be made well

I’m fascinated by this statement. I shall be made well. There is no doubt. This woman is sure that Jesus is the Healer. How can she be that sure?

Do you ever wonder what your purpose as a woman is? What your identity as a woman is? I’m going to take you back to Genesis where God created woman. In Genesis 2:18 our purpose and true identity as a woman is revealed. I believe this Scripture is misinterpreted by a lot of people, especially women.  It is important that we understand it correctly and live up to our full potential.

I used to cringe whenever I heard this Bible verse, I went straight into defensive mode. I don’t want to be a “helper” or “help meet”, that sounds so lame. Like I was made to be an assistent or servant to a man. This my dear sisters is a lie, you are made for so much more. In Hebrew the word used is Ezer Kenegdo and this is a difficult word to translate into English or any other language.