Free to Rise: Women in God's StoryMuestra

THE INTERCESSOR
(This reflection contains mentions of violence against women.) 

The world is full of Abigails, if you care to look. 

You cared so much and your people knew that. 

You were a safe space so they came to you in times of crisis.

You were so full of faith and courage so you rode through the desert on a donkey, laden with food, to meet your husband’s enemy.

You were so close to God that fear was not your portion.

You spoke with humility and confidence showing the depths of your wisdom.

You acted in the moment knowing what was in the future.

You used your gifts with love, wisely, and for the sake of your people and your household. That kind of love is God’s love.

Even as I write these words about Abigail, wife of Nabal and David, my mind is flooding with images of many faces, women like Abigail, from across the many nations I have traversed over the years. In the midst of war and chaos, division and despair, these women – these Abigails – have done what they knew was best for their families and their people, almost always at a painful cost.

A gorgeous Abigail in war torn Burundi went out to find food so that her husband and children could eat that day. That night, she was beaten. Another night, she was thrown out of her home by her drunken husband, her Nabal. She slept in the bush and woke up early to do whatever she could to get food for herself. At least her children already had their food as did her husband who lay in a drunken stupor. In the heat of the midday sun she went out again, trying again to pick some firewood to sell, giving some to the woman next to her as well. 

Another young, beautiful Abigail in South Africa went back to college to complete her education. The rape of her body, mind, and spirit in the corridors of her college stalled her for a while, but she came back determined for the sake of her two sons. She looked at her rapist in the eye and told herself that he had no power over her. She launched a movement of survivors of rape and together they began to speak justice and power at home, places of worship, and seats of power. For the sake of other girls, Abigail spoke up. She knew her God was with her.

A petite, gentle Abigail grew up in the dangerous forests of Myanmar, where groups have fought each other and the government for years. She did not know much about the world beyond her village. She knew God and that He was with her. She knew that the children in her village needed her and the other mothers to look after them. She knew that the women who were from the side of the enemy also cared about the things that she did. So she reached out, sharing food and laughter in the other women’s homes so that they could live in peace even as their men fought. 

The Church leaders saw and gave her room within their worship walls so that this quiet leader could lead them and their people in ways of courage, love and generosity, breaking away from the fear of oppression of armed groups.

I am compelled! How could I not be? 

I wonder if Abigail felt any anger, even for a second? I will never know. But what I do know, what I am drawn to seeing in Abigail in the Bible – and the many Abigails across the world – is that I have the power, ability and gifting to intercede and become a safe space, so that my people can count on me to act with love, wisdom, and generosity even in the face of adversity. As a woman, as a child of God, and as one who has much but also sees and feels much, I am drawn to intercede for others. God is mighty and willing to do far more than I can imagine. 

So I stand up again.

By Veena O’Sullivan, Head of Sexual Violence & Peace Building at Tearfund UK