Leading Like a Woman
I love to network. Many people think of the term “network” in a professional setting as a sales activity. However, I use the term more broadly. Building relationships in business and in everyday life has many benefits. It’s exciting to me to see what connections can lead to – referrals, job opportunities, subject matter expertise to consult, and even meaningful friendships. When challenges arise an expert in your circle can be a powerful influence who helps move the outcome in your favor.
As a woman, having a network with other like-minded professional women is especially valuable to me. When women identify with one another’s struggles and share their perspectives or advice, we feel understood and motivated to keep going.
As a Christian woman, I want my work and my network to be about even bigger purposes. How can I foster true community? How can God use my work relationships with others for the kingdom? What can I offer others that helps push back the darkness in our workplaces and displays the good news of the gospel?
As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, let’s consider two unlikely networks of women in Scripture who propel significant movements in God’s redemptive plan.
In Exodus 2, we see an alliance of five women instrumental in saving the life of Moses, who paved the way for the Israelites to be freed from slavery by the Egyptians.
As the chapter opens, we learn Egypt’s king is threatened by the might of Egypt’s Israelite subjects. He dictates harsh treatment of the slaves, and yet the slaves still flourish. Pharoah felt threatened, so he instructed the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill the sons of Hebrew women and spare the Hebrew daughters in order to wipe out their population in his realm. “But the midwives feared God,” and did not do as commanded. Shiphrah and Puah were faithful to play a vital part in God’s plan. Their work spared the life of Jochebed’s son, Moses.
Jochebed hid baby Moses for three months and then she engineered a waterproof cradle for him. She hid Moses in the cradle in the reeds by the river’s bank. The Scriptures tell us that Moses’ sister, Miriam, was watching her mother do this — watching over Moses.
When the Pharaoh's daughter came to the river, she discovered baby Moses. Although she knew of her father’s decree, she had compassion on the baby and looked for a way to save his life. Miriam quickly stepped in and suggested a Hebrew nursemaid — Jochebed, Moses' own mother! The midwives’ disobedience to Pharaoh and the Egyptian princess’ collaboration with Jochebed and Miriam were unlikely partnerships between masters and slaves; yet God chose this team of women to nurture the life of the man who would lead his people out of bondage.
Later in the New Testament, we see another team of women instrumental in delivering God’s people through the ministry of Jesus.
The gospel of Luke tells us that along with the twelve men disciples, there were several women also with them. The women included his own mother, Mary, as well as other women he’d healed from demon possession or illness — Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.
This network of women, although they were from various walks of life, formed a community. Their uniting force was their appreciation of Jesus, who had performed miraculous work in their lives. Mary’s life was changed the moment she learned that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus. Joanna was a woman of wealth and status as the wife of Herod’s steward; she also became a disciple of Jesus. Susanna followed Jesus’ city-to-city ministry and is remembered as one who supported the ministry with finances. The women were integral to Jesus’ ministry as they secured support, coordinated travel plans and lodging, managed crowds, and purchased provisions for a multi-city ministry tour. They demonstrate their tight bond to each other, as well as their devotion to Jesus, when they are present in Jesus’ darkest and most glorious hours. The Scriptures mention they are standing with Jesus during His crucifixion and they are the first to know of His resurrection in the garden outside His tomb. Like their female counterparts in Egypt, this circle of women were instrumental in God’s plan to free His people from bondage.
How might you join God and the work He is performing among the women in your network? Ask Him for ways you can contribute your skills, title, connections, and talent to the important work in your community. A team of women can accomplish seemingly-impossible tasks together when they are instruments in God’s plan.
Jana is Marketing and Brand Manager of Claims Management Resources in downtown Oklahoma City. She is also a commissioner on the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. She is the founder and co-director of the Oklahoma City chapter of Polished. Jana is passionate about women leading in both the workplace and in the church to use their skills and God-given talents for his kingdom.