10 comments

Erin Davis

How I Invited Myself to a New Worldview

Posted on 05.02.12 by Erin Davis | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti

Due to the high volume we have experienced with True Woman '12 registration, we have extended our early registration deadline thru Friday, May 4.

I was twenty-eight years old the first time I heard God’s vision for motherhood. Nancy Leigh DeMoss was coming to my area for a brainstorming session with friends and ministry leaders. I had met Nancy once while doing research for a book project, and when I heard she was going to be in my neck of the woods, I invited myself to spend the afternoon with her (an invitation she graciously agreed to).

I didn’t realize it at the time, but the purpose of that gathering was for Nancy and her team to pray and dream about what would soon become the True Woman Conferences. I also didn’t know that I was pregnant. As I sat and listened to these women talk about re-casting a vision for womanhood that aligned with God’s Word, my heart and mind had conflicting reactions.

My educated, indoctrinated, me-centric brain scoffed. Would women of the new millennium ever consider a definition of motherhood that celebrated anything other than careers and equality across the board? I also secretly patted myself on the back for avoiding motherhood in the name of ministry. Surely that was the kind of choice a “true woman” would make!

But, my heart felt something entirely different. Something like relief. These women were saying I didn’t have to find my worth in my accomplishments and career. They were also saying that having children and directing my ministry efforts toward a family wasn’t settling for second best, and that God created me as a woman to reflect Him, not to draw attention to me. There was freedom and power in that possibility!

I came home from that meeting determined to find God’s heart on motherhood. That seeking led to finding. In the four years since that encounter, God has used His Word as well as the True Woman Conferences, the ministry of Revive Our Hearts, and friends like Nancy to show me that God’s vision for me as woman is different in ways that are more wonderful, more liberating, and more purposeful than anything the world has tried to sell me.

My worldview has been most radically shaken in the area of motherhood. I have changed from a woman who never wanted to have children because I wanted to have a “ministry” to a momma of two with a burning passion to show other moms that motherhood is a sacred role.

You may never have invited yourself to a meeting with Nancy, but my hunch is that her ministry has impacted your worldview, too. I’d love to hear about it. How has the ministry of Revive Our Hearts challenged your views of womanhood, motherhood, and ministry? How has True Woman encouraged and equipped you to use your womanhood to point others toward Christ?

Comments

  1. Even though I have listened to ROH since it started and Elisabeth Elliot before that (since 1990), I really wasn't affected until I read the book "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free". And, to tell the truth, I was such a tough cookie that I had read the entire book and was really not affected....that is until I read about "Shondra". When I realized that I could have written that testimony word for word and that I was believing a lie, I had to re-read the book and I started to question myself and I questioned everything that I was taught at home, at church, at college.

    For awhile there, my life was totally upbraided. I did not know really what to do so I started writing ROH with questions. Thank you to all the sweet people on the other end of those emails who took the time to read and reply with much grace and truth.

    I'm much better off that I was 10 years ago..although, I must confess that I have a long way to go. I just thank God that He led me to cross paths with you. Jodi c.
    posted by Jodi C.
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:06 am
  2. About a year ago, Nancy had Steve and Candice Watters on the show to talk about having children. I was a huge follower of Boundless in my university days so I listened eagerly to what they had to say. Those shows and their book inspired my husband and I to stop waiting for children and trust God in this area of our lives. Now, one year later we have a little baby named Benjamin who brings us so much joy!
    posted by Sarah
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:12 am
  3. Must confess: I don't read True Woman blog each post. I do listen to the radio broadcast, Revive Our Hearts often. The reason I listen is that the broadcasts are Scripture filled. Nancy always has the Bible as the centerpiece even though listeners might not catch that right away. She supports points with Scripture. Psychobabble just does not catch my heart and it certainly does not create a sound world view. Thank you, for this post. My world view changed back in the mid sixties in Bible College and I have held on to what I learned in Bible College those many years ago. The Bible words are the most important words in my life.
    theshepherdspresence.wordpress.com
    posted by Karyl Entner
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:56 am
  4. I, like Sarah said above, was most changed when I heard Nancy talking with Steve & Candice Watters. I bought their book soon afterward, too. I still don't have children yet, but this has certainly change the way I look at "family planning" and I think this will definitely change the course of my life.
    posted by Leanne
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 10:16 am
  5. My worldview changed when I traveled with Life Action Ministries, but Nancy's book, "Lies Women Believe," helped to cement in my mind my biblical philosophies about marriage and motherhood.

    I've often wondered why someone in Life Action or Revive Our Hearts hasn't written "Lies Men Believe" (in a format men would enjoy reading). I know of a woman who wants more children, but her husband is tied to the lie of the culture that "more children are a burden" and "we need to get you freed up to go back to work." It's so sad.
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com/
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 12:09 pm
  6. @Dawn...I know how that woman feels. That is essentially the way my husband looks at things. No matter what I say or how many scriptures I give him, he has been blinded by the lies of the enemby.

    Like you I pray that God would raise up someone that would get into the hearts and minds of the men of the church (1st) and cause them to raise up and take their roles back. .But I think they would have to do it in video form and play it on NASCAR, NFL & ESPN on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, afternoon and evening. My man will not even pick up his Bible much less another book but he'll pick up that remote control and watch a sport or movie.

    Oh God, please raise up a man to take this message to our men and give them wisdom to get it out. I pray for wisdom to be the woman of God that He created me to be. Jodi c.

    Jodi C.
    posted by Jodi c.
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 12:34 pm
  7. After salvation, I started reading God's Word about women as I stepped out on this journey of becoming a virtuous woman. Through much amazement but trusting in God, I found myself in a lonely place; a busy ministry minded husband and two small children with no other stay at home moms in the church. Praise the Lord I found Nancy's program online. Totally transformed my view of ministry and motherhood! Today I have 5 kids, am homeschooling and doing it all for the glory of God! I have a happy husband to boot, who I am no longer holding accountable for worldly, unmet desires. Perfectly content within my home now! It's not always an "easy" road but God is never unfaithful to abundantly bless through every trial. Yes, there are women who will accept this role in obedience to Christ!
    posted by Keeper at Home
    on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 5:36 pm
  8. I love that you say that you learned not to see your worth in terms of your accomplishments or career but I just want to add a word of warning... it is important to not see your worth in terms of being a mother or a wife. Our identity is in Christ alone! God bless you!
    www.thetea-house.blogspot.com
    posted by Megan
    on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10:51 am
  9. Jodi C.…We are so grateful God led you to cross paths with us! We love you, Jodi, and pray God will continue to bless you and keep you…and we ask that He make His countenance to shine upon you, and give you His peace. Our love to you; it is a pleasure watching you grow!
    posted by Sarah, with the TW Team
    on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 4:47 pm
  10. My husband and I are reading through the Old Testament. I have noticed God's plan for parents to remember all that God had done for them and to remind their families. They were to teach their children. The nation of Israel was to be an example to all the other nations because the families obeyed the Lord. Thank-you Erin for this post-- reminding us that ministering to our family is valuable, of primary importance.
    http://carolvanderwoude.authorweblog.com
    posted by Carol
    on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 9:19 pm

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