Today's interview installment comes from Carissa of Jesusbreakfastclub.tumblr.com, where she shares scripture and inspirational quotes on imprints (pictures) of her travels. Read on as she talks about Leah, her favourite woman of the Bible, why that is and what we- as modern women- can take from Leah's story.
Who is your favourite woman of the Bible and why? What would you say that modern women can learn from her?
Leah. I think nobody really thinks of Leah when we read about Jacob and Rachel’s love. Leah was the one who was somehow thrown into the mix with no volition of her own, but God watched over her. She was faithful to Jacob and loved him, but it was mostly unrequited. We never see Jacob professing much love for her; in fact, he pushed Leah and her children to the front-line and kept Rachel to the back when they were attacked at one point. Yet Leah was silently faithful and kept it all together. Perhaps her only return was Jacob's final choice to be buried with her.
I suppose Leah’s my favourite woman because she represents the predicament of many women. Not all of us get a love story like Rachel; not all of us are the centre of great stories. But when we pull back and look at Leah, we realise that God is working in and through us regardless.
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is...
I am a Christian woman who is a feminist and believes that Jesus was the first advocate of women.
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is not...
I am a Christian woman who is not afraid to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Any final words of encouragement?
Put love above all other things. Love like Jesus.