Today's interview comes from the wonderful Chloelle Bond of thewivelihood.com, where she writes to "the wives of the time" in addition to single women to "provide quality content so they can be prepared [for marriage] during this season of their lives". Chloelle also has a huge burden for issues which particularly concern women within the African American community and so writes to help heal "and begin to break [those] cycles". With all that being said, read on as Chloelle unpacks her insight into Gomer (her favourite woman of the Bible), how she fits into her personal testimony and what Gomer can teach us, as modern women.
Who is your favourite woman of the Bible and why? What would you say that modern women can learn from her?
I have many favourites in the Bible but, as I began studying more, I discovered an interest in Gomer. Gomer became one of my favourites because of how scandalous her actions were in her marriage; yet, true love prevailed and Hosea never gave up on her.
When it comes to my own personal testimony, I can relate to Gomer in the sense that I did not uphold sexual purity. As a result, I was ashamed and lived in so much condemnation that I was convinced that no godly man would ever desire me nor would I ever live my dream of having a family.
As in Gomer's story of Hosea being relentless in his pursuit to show her how much he valued her as a wife, God was relentless in His pursuit of me. God showed me not to fear; that I had value and could have a wonderful husband and children. Although I still held some doubt, I put a small amount of faith out there and months later I met my husband- and now we have our first child together. Like Gomer, I wasn’t completely pure. I struggled in celibacy but God allowed a man, who was celibate, to see enough value in me to pursue me as his wife.
Today our society is saturated with sexual immorality and it’s often a hidden sin. Some women do miss the mark and believe that it is the end. I believe the story of Gomer can metaphorically show how God’s love is so big and pure He will never stop chasing them. It shows that God finds value even in those who feel they have hit rock bottom. I also believe that it can heal marriages where infidelity has taken place, as the divorce rate continues to rise. Restoration is always possible.
Related: An Interview With Lanayia on The Woman at the Well
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is…
I am a Christian woman who is still a work in progress but able to celebrate the milestones that God has allowed me to reach.
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is not…
I am a Christian woman who is not able to stand to the side and watch another woman sit on the gifts and visions God instilled in her.
Any final words of encouragement?
Never be afraid to share your testimony. The Bible says:
“And they overcame…by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11)
This shows that we stay bound because we fear what others will think about our past. We fear being judged but we don’t realise that there’s someone else in the situation God pulled us out of thinking there’s no way out. There’s someone looking for a solution; for a beacon of hope to know that they can endure their hardship or escape it.
We hold the key to someone else’s breakthrough. Our story is an encouragement to someone else. As we build others with hope and inspiration we are able to overthrow any residue of guilt and shame we once felt. Don’t fear what people may think of you! The place you used to be is much worse than any thought or comment any person could make. What you went through wasn’t just for you, it was also for someone else.
Related: An Interview With Rebekah Nwokonkor on The Woman with the Issue of Blood