How Women and Men Can Heal the DivideSample

Transforming the Future

It occurred to me that everything we do right now is either a pull back from or a push toward a transformed future. There is no neutral ground. At the center of the journey of transformation is Jesus. He is the only hope we have for restoration of the divide that keeps men and women from working together to build a new world. As we position ourselves at the cross, we will find we have the strength to push toward the future of a better world. If not, we will easily pull back even more into our present hopeless, deteriorating condition.

Are we willing to do the work required to change the trajectory of history? Are we willing to acknowledge where we are and where we want to go, and do we have the courage to take the steps necessary to move forward? I’ve longed for equality to emerge as a realistic and rational way to live in our world. I’ve yearned for mutual thriving. I am completely convinced through the Scriptures that true mutuality is the original sacred design of humanity. People seem to agree, yet our world remains divided and dismissive of the gender equity dream. How do we do it?

We can choose another way to live together. We choose together, but we also make the choice for ourselves. If ever there was an example of a good man, it is the person of Jesus. The perfect man. He did not live to be an exception to the rest of humanity. He died and lived to change the possibilities for humanity so everyone could join him in being good. 

Transformation is about leaving the past in the past and starting fresh with a vision for the future we want to build. People come from many difficult and different backgrounds, but we all share the dream of a better future. Because we share this common ground, we share a hope that can mobilize us to move together in the same direction!

The systemic oppression at the heart of the relationship between women and men is as complex as it gets. But when we dream of the future we want to build, we will discover that we are at the perfect starting place for changing our present. Instead of rehashing the problems of the past, let’s move forward together. I’m believing that our shared view of our future world looks like equality, freedom, and flourishing. 

Women and men sharing the load becomes an entry point of connectedness and strength, modeling a shared leadership to the next generation. This sharing brings freedom to use our God-given gifts, connecting with our kids better, and flourishing as a family. How beautifully liberating! The case of women’s empowerment is not some liberal agenda; it’s a way of unlocking the potential that exists in everyone to flourish. Mutual thriving is what we are after, and when women get better, everyone gets better.This is the future we are all hoping for. Let’s write a better story!

Respond

What dreams do you have for a future for your children and the world?

How can personal transformation through Jesus help you move toward healing and hope?

How would you like to see the relationships between women and men transformed in your realm of influence?