Risk take Or Give Up?

By Sandra Magee Womack, December 11, 2000, in the Baptist Standard (that is the paper weekly put out by Texas southern baptists)
"For over 100 years, Baptist women have been "risk-takers." We have been stepping forward and risking the condemnation of not only an unchurched and lost people, but also of our Baptist brothers in our own denomination. The Lord did not stop with gender when it comes to confessing your faith. Women in ministry don't take no for an answer. We are a group that must say, "Look at our history, the foundation we have laid, and look to our future women in educating them."___Still not convinced it's not only your right, but your place? Let the following be your basis for taking your place in ministry:___ First, the first money given to the first nationwide Baptist convention was given by women; women who knew that their money would help foreign missionaries. Second, although tithing is taught in God's word, it was not a concept that was widely known or accepted until Woman's Missionary Unioin educated Baptists about the idea. Third, until an organized group of women began "weeks of prayer" and special mission offerings, churches had no organized method of praying and giving to missions. Fourth, WMU has been the lifeline for Baptist missionaries for over 100 years.___Still need a "scriptural" reference for your place in women's ministry? What better example of this than the woman who wept at Jesus' feet when they nailed him to the cross, Mary Magdalene. Mary possibly spent more time with Jesus than any other woman during his ministry. Jesus used Mary as a willing disciple and role model for all women. At a time when the followers of Jesus were scorned, ridiculed and even threatened by death, Mary remained faithful. She was with him through the hours of crucifixion and death, and she boldly returned to be near him in the garden. Even in the midst of fear and grief, she risked her life and remained committed to Jesus. It's no wonder that Mary was first to witness the resurrection and that Jesus issued his first commission to a woman, "Go and tell."___If we are to grow as Christian women in our understanding of God, we have to expect tough circumstances and be willing to "risk" the disappointment that is bound to confront us. Baptist women have met with confrontation since Baptists' inception, and that confrontation has made us strong and even more useful to Christ. We live in turbulent and fractured times. To stand in opposition to the majority always involves risk. Baptist women must not sit idle, but we must continue to be risk-takers. Women in ministry have discipled, educated and trained both men and women to "go and tell."___Women in ministry, from teaching to preaching, is a campaign. It is a campaign of eternal significance, not a campaign for women's rights. Women in Baptist work today are leaders and already know their rights. They are knowledgeable, understanding, educated, well-groomed and fun to be with. They also are accountable to Jesus Christ and his guidance, not one of any "man-made creed."___Let no man tell a woman what to believe or not believe, when to speak or not speak. That is a right that remains only with Jesus Christ. It is to him we pledge our allegiance. It is to him we shall be accountable. It is with him that we shall serve, and it is him that we shall reign with in eternity."

I am having to search to support myself in the gender God made me right now. I don't get that from my church and I'm am struggling with some things valuable women are facing right now. My mentor is dealing with her 4th round of breast cancer! I can accept that God lets bad things happend to good people...but making her endure this yet again. I'm just overly frustrated that these things are occuring. I don't want to fight to be the person God made me to be...I want to be love and used as the person God made me to be. Why is this soooo difficult for some to accept and do?