I am delighted to share the awesome insights of Lesego Barona today, the founder (and one of the contributors of) Rising Tswana. Rising Tswana is an "online movement" based in Botswana which carries out it's mission of "honouring God and inspiring victory through words of testimony" by featuring people's poetry and articles, in addition to other creative outlets such as art. With a huge foundation in 2nd Timothy 1:6, this platform really encourages believers to pursue their God-given passions, dreams and visions, and live them out. With that being said, it makes complete sense that during the course of her interview Lesego gives us great food for thought about Deborah (her favourite woman of the Bible) and the many ways she shows us that we don't have to subscribe to a "cookie cutter" version of womanhood but are free to be the authentic people God has called us to be.
Who is your favourite woman of the Bible and why? What would you say that modern women can learn from her?
Deborah. Society, and the church sometimes, give us a blanket form of what the modern day Christian woman should be. Deborah is the epitome of a creative God who knows that there is not one cookie cutter woman. He is so amazing He gives us many examples of amazing women and Deborah has to be my favourite. She is a wife and yet, while Israel was going through a really rough time after Ehud’s death, she was appointed Judge. Many people came to her and she handled disputes. She instructed Barack to go to war and he even insisted she join him because he recognised the God in her. It makes me realise that just because you are not an Esther, or a Ruth, or Mary, you could be a Deborah and that is okay. Women should not feel bad for not being "feminine enough" or "strong enough" because there is provision for every type of woman in God’s Kingdom as we are His creation and that was always His intention with the Body of Christ (to make us diverse; different but equal). Women can be amazing leaders, just like Deborah, and aspire to be everything God wants us to be in whatever space we exist in. Her story gives me confidence to be unapologetic about my ambitions and my aspirations, whilst still knowing I can honour God in that place.
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is...
I am a Christian woman who is fearless in pursuit of what is right yet still understands that I am flawed, and grace makes all things possible.
Please finish the sentence: I am a Christian woman who is not...
I am a Christian woman who is not afraid to speak her mind and push the boundaries of comfort and complacency. I am not interested in my own progress but interested in the development of many.
Any final words of encouragement?
You have talent, you have creativity, you have passion, and you have purpose. Partner with the Creator and spend the rest of your days figuring it out with Him.