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Recently, I have been reading Created to Lead 
by Karen Zeigler which is a book that gives “a fresh perspective for women seeking God’s path to their purpose and their highest potential.” What I kept reading throughout the book is that God is calling us women to be leaders where ever we are. Be that our home, corporate job or in ministries. I just loved that Karen encourages leadership in every and all areas women might be serving.
In chapter three titled “Being the Women Leader Christ Would Pick” Karen discusses qualities of the women Christ picked for his inner circle of women leaders (Luke 8:1-3). One of the qualities she wrote about was authenticity. As I read this section I could not help but to think about not only how authenticity aids us in being effective leaders, but how it also aids us in being effective wives. I must say as I read this book I was encouraged that Karen sees my role as wife, mom and my work from home status as potential for me to an effective leader.
I’m going to share a few little snippets that Karen wrote about authenticity and how I believe that relates to our marriages as well. Karen shared four aspects about being authentic:
Being Authentic Shows Strength
Authenticity is transparency about those past hurts, struggles, and issues that reveals the inner strength of a women. p.33
Even more important, it’s a powerful testimony to the strength of our Savior. p.33
When we are open and honest with our husbands it shows our strength, builds our relationship and it shines our light. Even if we are in a Christian marriages our behavior can have great impact on our husbands by being an example of how a Christian should behave and respond.
Being Authentic Shows Trust
Yet trust is mutually inclusive – meaning we are open to trust others when we feel they are open and trust us. p. 33
Being authentic means being true and honest. When we are true and honest with our husband he may be inclined to be more true and honest with us. This cycle builds trust in our marriages.
Being Authentic Shows Character
When you dig into those character traits (of a successful leader), you find that the leading trait is honesty. p 34
We must think about what character traits we want to have and show. How do we want to respond to our husband and children? When we are authentic our true qualities start to show through.
Being Authentic Honors God
God has carefully knit us together, woven together all the circumstances of our lives, and gifted us with specific gifts and talents – all for His glory. p. 34
When we are the leader God called us to be in our marriages, in our homes, outside of our homes we bring glory to God. We get to choose everyday and with every action how we will represent Him. Before I react to Ryan or respond to Miss M I need to ask myself am I am representing Him how I want to.
Thank you so much, Karen, for sharing your passion for equipping women leaders in all areas of their lives. I am grateful to have been able to apply your concepts to my leadership role within my marriage and family. You can find more resources to support you as a leader at National Association of Christian Women Leaders.
How do you think authenticity helps in marriages?
Until Next Time- Truly Love,
Cassie
Cassie – I can’t tell you how delighted I am to read your post. To be set apart – it’s the very essence of being a Christian and being a leader. It’s that pursuit of Christian Leadership that will make women all that God has called them to be, regardless of whether that is in the baby’s room or the board room. Women wear many hats and go through many seasons. Sometimes one at a time and sometimes all at once. It is their pursuit of leadership as Christ portrayed it and personal growth that will help them maintain balance and live a beautiful life of meaning and impact. Thank you for sharing on authenticity in marriage. My God continue to bless your marriage and your ministry through your writing here.
Thank you, Karen! I am so glad that you have taken the time to write on the topic of women leadership. I know so many women struggle in that area for many different reasons. Like I said in my post I love how you were sure to encourage ladies no matter where they were to be leaders there. Thank you for your guidance and leadership!
Having been a leader, (manager), a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, a wife, a partner, I now find in late middle age a little invisible. Reading your post has given me some inspiration, thanks for sharing.
Linda – God is just getting started!! You are not invisible to him. I’m sure Moses (in his 40’s) felt pretty invisible in the desert but God spoke to him and his purpose in life was delivered. God has a purpose for you as well in this second half of life. He will take all the wisdom you have gained as manager, sister, wife, etc. and use it for his greater purpose. Be encouraged you are not invisible, you are worthy, you are love and you are called to lead.
So many Christian resources talk about the issue of a woman being submissive and I’m not bashing that, but I appreciate that this author is encouraging women to be leaders in the proper arenas of their lives. And yes, we can be leaders (influencers) with our husbands as well. I love these points, Cassie. Thanks for sharing this powerful resource with us and I hope you have a blessed week, sweet friend!
From Eve, to Herodias, to Esther…most women whose names graced the pages of the Bible were mentioned because they had influence over the men in their lives. For some reason God has innately gifted women with this ability to influence. It is the woman’s responsibility to make sure that we use that natural ability for good and not evil. To draw our husbands towards the things of God and not away from. Not to dictate by demand but inspires by example.