On fear, and preaching about God's design of women

Yesterday was a banner day for me. I had much anxiety about preaching on the subject:

"Is there more to being a woman that being 'hot'?" (Powerpoint is available here.

It's not that I haven't thought about the issue - I have. Even before becoming a Christian I had a strong interest in trying to figure out what is going on in the mind and hearts of women, primarily because I was very interested in girls in High School, and desired to be married someday. Since becoming a follower of Jesus in 1983, I have studied, restudied, talked, and debated many times over the issue of how God designed men and women 100% equal in value, but VERY different in design. God's 'Different by Design' pattern of maleness and femaleness is not something to be feared, maligned or rejected - but celebrated. I have thought deeply about the issue, was totally prepared for the message (in fact, I had EASILY another HOUR of material that didn't make it into the sermon!).

No, my fear was primarily because I knew how hurt and exploited women have become in our culture through body image issues, the radical feminist movement which says 'men suck' and yet forces women to disgard their femininity and become masculine in many ways, and through their own struggles with understanding their God given, graceful role as women.

I had real fear...

And it didn't get easier to preach at the second service either. I had just as much fear. I knew that no matter what I said, there would be come dear, lovely daughter of Eve out there who so drastically has been hurt by men, that what I was intending to be a healing message would instead be seen as, once again, a male dominance speech.

However, in spite of my anxiety, I knew this was a message the men and women of Hope needed, and so taking a line from Cor's sermon last week, I stepped out in as much courage as this guy could muster, asked God for the strength to make it through and preached what I knew God had for us yesterday.

And an amazing thing happened... Women were blessed... God showed up remarkably and I have had more emails, calls and positive comments on that message during the last 24 hours than I have ever had about any sermon in 11 years of pastoring at Hope. God met us last Sunday, September 30th, in only ways that his Spirit can. I really do think that some major healing and truth was happening in that room and I praise God for it. He is SO good to us all, men and women:

"“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

~Joel 2:28-29 (ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION)

I began the message by sharing an AWESOME video off YouTube that has blown me away for about 2 weeks with God's absolute, pure, powerful love for women. If you have 5 minutes and 32 seconds, please watch it. It'll be the best spent time you have today! It can be found here as well.