Since today is International Women’s Day, I thought I’d share a spoken word I wrote about 8 years ago for a women’s gathering. It’s a call to us and our daughters to rise up and take our place in the Father’s house— in rest, submission and strength and faith.
To the Daughters
You, my dear, are a daughter of the Most High God
A mother of nations, a Bride for His Son
You were fashioned, formed, and fabricated in the depths of His desire
A creature of beauty, glory and fire
And as you were crafted and shaped and designed
The voice of your Father called you to life
He spoke.
And worlds came to be
You, precious one, were made to be free.
Now, I know there are bars you’ve hidden behind
And cages created to keep you in line
But the heart of the Father was never to break you
Shake you, take you and make you compliant
I’m sorry.
I repent on behalf of the church for how you’ve been silenced
For use and abuse left unaddressed
Leaving your passions and dreams in a mess
Of unrequited longing.
I am so, so sorry.
But as I have said, you’re a daughter now free
With wings only clipped if you allow them to be
You’re not a victim. You’re not a slave
There’s healing and victory waiting today
His breath inside you, His hand is upon you
He’s promised to lead you and love you and guide you
So stand!
Daughters, arise.
In rest and submission, come find your strength in
The Author, Perfecter and Finisher of your faith.
Oh Daughter of Zion, you will dance again
You’ll rise with dawn on the wings of the wind
The night is now ending and morning is near
It’s hardly the time to shrink back in fear but rather
To stand. To speak. To sing.
And I am convinced, when we rise up as one
To awaken the daylight and welcome the sun
His kingdom will spread with astonishing force
To the east and the west and the south and the north
Then the sons and the daughters will join in together
Bringing glory and praise to their Father forever.
Amen.