This week we celebrate International Women’s Day 8 March, as we recognise the contributions, the necessity and value of women globally. Women throughout history and, dare it even be said within the scriptures, have been mistreated, marginalised, ostracised and demonised unreservedly. Yet, in response to this, women have managed to maintain the status quo and demonstrated great strength in the face of hostility and rejection.
Co-joined with this was the athletics at the European Indoor Championships held in Kombank Arena, Belgrade, during this event Scotland’s Laura Muir Women’s 1500m successfully won gold for the first time. In typical winners fashion, Muir wanted to complete a ‘lap of honour’ with the UK’s flag but an official denied her the opportunity to do so, due to the games running behind schedule. After several attempts to block and deny Muir the ‘lap of honour’, Muir decided to go around the official, take hold of a Union flag and complete her ‘lap of honour’, to the delight of those watching.
What Muir demonstrated is that in the face of any barriers, challenges, possibly hostility and rejection faced, she still had the drive, spirit and tenacity to claim what was rightfully hers, earned and deserved.
It has been said that traditionally, when a man buys a house, a woman makes it into a home; when a man buys food a woman makes it into a meal, and it is just two of these qualities that we celebrate in women.
Finally, two valid points to recall from scripture; firstly, Jesus chose to become flesh via the womb of a woman without any interference of any man. Lastly at His resurrection, he appeared first to women and sent women to the men. The beginning and the end of his ministry on earth both involved women and this week we thank God for the women in all our lives.
Congratulations to Laura Muir on winning gold!!