Women in the Word

This week, I've been doing worship planning. For the summer, I've decided to preach about women in the Bible. (inspired by a book by Lisa Wilson Davison, Preaching the Women of the Bible) Interestingly, most of the women are from the Old Testament--maybe because I've chosen either little-known women or because it's a longer testament. As I look at the schedule for the summer, I wonder if people will get tired of hearing about women. Maybe they will ask, "Why not just do four women--why ten?" Yes, it does sound like a lot! But think about it. For thousands of years, who have we mostly heard about? Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Job, Jesus, Paul, Peter ... and on and on. Yes, it's been mostly about men. So hopefully, there will be a little grace as we spend one summer looking at women and the role they play in scripture. Women still play an amazingly important role in the life of faith. My mind goes to some of the female saints of history, and the female saints I see every day in my own congregation and among my colleagues and friends. So here goes! We will lift up women who followed God's call throughout the years.