Mother's Day

by Mike James

One of the many criticisms "the world" has about Christianity is that it keeps women down or does not allow women to reach their full potential. Some of the reasons for this may be due to the fact some Christians and Christian groups emphasize male leadership. The Bible mentions the lead role of a man in marriage. God is referred to as "the Father," and I could go on with other examples.

Despite all this, the Bible makes it clear that God's image is made up of both male and female (Genesis 1:27). Let's not forget this physical life is not what it is all about. God has primary roles for both men and women in this world. But that does not diminish women or make them less than men. Galatians 3:28 makes it clear that in the coming Kingdom, there is neither male nor female. In other words, the physical limitations we live in will be overcome in the spiritual kingdom we are preparing for.

With Mother's Day up ahead of us this month, I think it is important to emphasize the importance of the female in God's physical plain. We know God (Father) was involved in the creation, but He used Christ to do it (John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2). Interestingly enough, look at how Eve is described in Genesis 3:20. Eve is the mother of all living. Women are more involved in the creation of future God family members than men are if we are looking at things on a purely physical basis.

Taking this one step further, God gave women a greater ability to feed and nurture the baby at its most delicate point in life. As God set it up, the woman is biologically equipped to feed the baby while the male or father is not. Most females are more adept at nurturing babies than men are.

Another important scripture to think about in this discussion is Exodus 20:12. We are to honor both father and mother. I think we sometimes lose sight of that commandment. It relates back to the father and mother, not just the male, being created in the image of God.

Notice Isaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." Isaiah is using a mother's care for her child as an analogy to how God cares for His children.

When I think of my own life, my mother impacted my interest in God and the Bible more than my father did. It was my mother telling me to pray every night and making sure that I did. It was my mother who pushed me to attend Church (Greek Orthodox) and believe in God. Through that foundation, I was led to take a closer look at the Bible and figure out what God was doing.

Even though both a mother and father are important in the development of a child, God's plan for our physical existence was for a mother to play a greater role in a child's early upbringing. Let's not forget the early years of our lives are the most formative years. Those first five years have more to do with how we turn out than the years that follow.

The point I'm trying to make is that God gives the lead in molding a child to the mother. And isn't the molding of a child the most important job of any on earth? God has given the woman the lead role in the most important job on earth.

It may not be glamorous. It may not pay you any money. Society downplays the role of a mother. But make no mistake about it—it matters as much if not more than any other endeavor humans may participate in. I'm sure we could argue that bringing the gospel message to people could be more important. But without people who are ready to listen, the gospel message will fall flat. A godly mother helps prepare a child to listen and receive that gospel message.

Without my mother's prep work, I must admit that I would not have been ready to read the material I read in the Plain Truth, hear the World Tomorrow program in the way that I did, or decide to leave the Greek Orthodox Church. I would not have done these things had my mother not created within me the foundational belief that God is real and the most important thing in life.

So, thanks to my mom and the great responsibility God has given to all mothers. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.

Sources: "Traces of a Mother," Midnight Call, May 2022.