So I shared a post from Kristen du Mez  with some comments regarding her take about complementarianism online and received a nice comment from a friend of mine.  My first response to the comment though was less than warm and fuzzy.  I was a bit angry to be honest.  It wasn’t so much the fact that she said she believed she was complementarian, but that the reasons she gave sounded like the standard teaching.  Worst of all, she even quoted a verse!  

These days, there is nothing more irritating to me than someone who quotes one verse to justify why they live a certain way.  I am sorry to say that was my first reaction, but I am grateful to God that He reminded me of something very important.  I love this woman!  

She has a heart for women and she does seek God in how she lives.  She leads women in prayer and study.  She gives her time as a volunteer to children in church, is a retired nurse and is a devoted wife, mother and very proud grandmother.  If I am going to find some wisdom, she is the type of person I would seek out.  Now do I think that means that I have to agree with her?  

Well, not really.  

It means I get to gather up what I hear from her, other teachers, the whole of scripture and most importantly the words of Jesus.  Then I take the information gleaned add some wrestling with the Holy Spirit and listen for the still small voice of wisdom.  Then I take that wisdom and make it a part of my life.  But what if the wrestling doesn’t give me a conclusion?  Well then we go back to the basics.  Love God and Love people.  And in the meantime…. Continue wrestling.   

And to my friend…. Thank you!  I love you and appreciate your heart!  And I appreciate  that God used your comment to help me lean into Him for a response.  And I hope that response reflected what I believe He told me…… to respond in LOVE!