The Uneducated Disciple

It’s a label that I have worn for a long time.

Because I did not extend my education beyond high school, I have lived with the stigma that I am “less than qualified” for anything other than being a wife and mom. Well, that happened to be the very thing my heart desired from a very young age, the enemy would use it many times in my life to make me feel inadequate or inferior, causing me to even question my ability to be a good wife and mom. I didn’t take Motherhood 101 or The Role of a Pastor’s Wife for Beginners either, and there sure weren’t enough books or lectures that could quite prepare me for the blessings and responsibilities that would come with being a wife, a pastor’s wife, or a mom. (Though I did read everything I could get my hands on!)

I want to preface what I am about to say with a word of caution: This could be controversial if you let it (please don’t!), but my intentions are not to bring controversy or offense–only clarity, and hopefully some encouragement to those women out there who might be feeling like they never quite measure up. So just stick with me. 😁

How would you respond if I asked you what you are most passionate about? My faith and my family are my two greatest loves. Many of my daily choices revolve around those two things, but I also love to read–especially God’s Word. My library hosts a variety of other books including historical novels and autobiographies. I love making my house a home, but I also love to travel and experience new places and cultures. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from DIY projects–and even more so when I can share them with others. I don’t have degrees or a list of my accomplishments, but I do have memories and pictures and life experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything and I’m okay with that. There are a lot of women I care deeply about that are very educated, very driven and very much in a different role than I am and I’m okay with that too. I want to love and appreciate others, not just because of what they do, but who they are as a person.

If you choose to keep reading I hope you hear something that encourages you to be all that God created you to be.

In an ever changing world, the role of women quickly became “redefined” when the women’s movement pushed women out of their homes and into the workforce. In my growing up years (the 1960’s and 70’s) a second wave of feminism surged (the first being in the late 1800’s-1920, culminating with a woman’s right to vote) and women were “chafing against the confines of their roles as wives and mothers”. Instead of training and encouraging young women to prepare for marriage and motherhood, they were instead expected to go to college, start a career and find purpose and meaning outside of their home.

I am not here to judge, just as I would wish that no one would judge me for making the choice to be a full-time wife and mother. I will never regret that decision. What I am saying is this: Far too often we choose to discount the value of another person based solely on their education, experience or training, when the reality is that God Himself gifts people in ways that often have nothing to do with any of those things. He is the one who designed men and women to be different and to have different and complementary roles, with the goal of bringing Him the glory He deserves.

 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. Colossians 2:8

Unfortunately, the role of women in the Bible has often been misconstrued. The Bible shows us the fallen nature of humanity from the very beginning (Genesis 3). God clearly revealed His design for men and women, yet because He gave us a free will, we often choose to go our own way.

We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him ^[Jesus]
for the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

If you’ve made it this far and find yourself “chafing against” what I am saying, please hear my heart. My goal is not to call out someone who thinks differently than I do about education, women in the workforce, or gender roles. My message is for those women who think that they are less valuable because they don’t follow the same worldview as others. My point is this: This world is temporary. What you do in this life will matter for eternity. The Bible says, “so, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Let me illustrate. I absolutely love being a wife and a mom, but that doesn’t mean it is always easy. One of my “jobs” is to clean the bathroom. I might not enjoy cleaning a dirty toilet, but because I have travelled to several third world countries and used a hole in the ground (and other interesting accommodations) for a commode, I have seen how blessed I truly am. If my focus is correct, a right perspective can change my heart from one of negativity to one of gratitude. When I begin to see the gift of God’s provision, even undesirable tasks can become an act of worship–even cleaning a toilet!

If I choose to follow what I believe is God’s plan for me, even when the world says that I’m selfish or lazy or just plain wrong, that’s on them. I don’t want to waste my life trying to please the world–I want to please the One who created the world–and created me for His divine purpose. I can face every day that God gives me knowing that even though I fail at times, I can find peace in the promise that God loves me (John 3:16), He created me for a purpose (Philippians 2:13)–a purpose that will never be exactly like anyone else–and that when my life is done I will face eternity with confidence–not in who I am, but in who HE is. (John 6:39-40)

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13