https://rachelheldevans.com/biblical-womanhood
Have you read “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” by Rachel Held Evans? If you’ve ever wondered if Proverbs 31 should be kept literally or how to practically live as a woman, but also live biblically, I recommend this book!
I don’t usually read non-fiction. But I read it (all the way through, mind you!) about two years ago. It was fantastic! A fun read!
About the book:
Each month Evans would delve into an area of biblical woman. For instance, one month was devoted to hospitality, another month for purity. She would have interviews, go on trips, practice customs, whatever it took to be that characteristic as God intended it, in a practical, real, doable way.
Hooked yet?
The writing is also witty, with high energy that kept me reading. Full transparency (aka, too much TMI at times!) also.
(A really quick example: She had her period during her month of purity! Think: Red Tent. Evans really went all-out. She deserves an award for not holding back!)
Even as I journeyed with Evans as she learned the ins-and-outs of biblical principles put on women, I started to have questions about what a Christian woman should do, act, believe. Stuff I hadn’t thought about before. How does God really want me to live?
Another element that moved me was her absolute support and respect toward her husband, Dan. At the same time I saw the love and care Dan showed his wife. I believe only Evans could have written this book! It took a year of research before even beginning to write. And she was devoted throughout the year on crazy expeditions! Only an awesome husband would stand by that!
And her conclusion was fantastic. (SPOILER ALERT!) The essence of a woman is to believe in Christ as Lord and Savior. (Paraphrased… and maybe that wasn’t her point, but just my own take-away! Which means something if I remember this so clearly after two years!)
Plus, the epilogue tied in perfectly with the prologue! Only a genius could have done this—and Evans must have been a genius! (I won’t spoil this awesomeness! You gotta read the book to see what I mean! Just genius!)
I give “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” 5 stars and recommend it to every woman I know. Because what Christian woman wouldn’t want to live practically and confidently as a woman of God? Evans is a champion for women and Christians in this regard!
As for the witty humor:
I think I started laughing out loud when I was about three pages in. She had mentioned how this subject of living biblically as a woman was given to her and she accepted it gladly. But then later that day she was crying on her bed, mortified and overwhelmed by the task! She said something to effect of, “I cried—because that’s what us creative people do.”
And I laughed so hard. I could relate. I too have experienced the emotional ups and downs of creativity! Passionate one second, depressed the next. Evans had my attention!
Two other funnies I remember:
In one case she was getting vaccines for a trip to Bolivia. (I think it was Bolivia. I had gotten the book from the library, as is my custom. Otherwise, if I owned this book today, I would look these examples up for you! But, alas, it’s midnight on Saturday and the library is closed. So, my memories will have to do.) After all the required vaccines, they suggested she also get a vaccine for typhoid. But it was something like $70, and she and Dan couldn’t easily afford to spend that much. Not sure what to do, she called Dan and instead of answering her in a yes or no, Dan said, “There is a cure for typhoid, isn’t there?” In other words, “Nope. Not necessary!”
Again, the combination of her clever writing and her transparency made for a great read! I trusted her immediately. Which is great because she had some truth to share with Christian women.
I mentioned two funnies. This is the second one that I still remember today:
One chapter was about mothering. But they didn’t have any children yet. With their jobs and circumstances, they weren’t ready for children either. While she explained this predicament to Dan, he said, “We are not having a kid so you can write your book!”
(I think Dan must be witty too!)
Final Thoughts:
I am blogging about this book because Rachel Held Evans died May 4, 2019 at the age of 37, leaving behind her husband, Dan, and two small children.
Evans was an amazing woman of God. I’m so thankful for her speaking out for what she believed and for holding her faith as most important. May God comfort and provide for Dan and their children.
Learn more about Evans, her books, and her faith at https://rachelheldevans.com/
This year I studied the book of Revelation. I learned more than anything about God’s sovereignty. A topic that I usually avoid, and I doubt I’m the only one. The age-old question of “Why?”
But that’s the point.
I learned that God’s sovereignty means that He knows best, His timing is perfect (in the scheme of all points of time), and He works for His greater purpose of advancing His gospel salvation to the ends of the earth, that all may hear, believe and be saved.
Therefore, although sad, I’m okay with not asking, “Why did Rachel Held Evans die?”
I see that her time on earth was completed. Her purpose in God was finished. God will continue to do His work through Dan, through her books, through her children, through her legacy and through memories of her. (This is a lame example, but it is what it is: I wouldn’t be promoting her book if she hadn’t passed away. And not because the book wasn’t great. I just hadn’t thought of it.)
Which brings me to another point: Let’s seize the day.
Not in a philosophical-way, but in a God-way. That God has a purpose for our lives. Be it to tell many about the truths of living practically as a Christian, as Evans did. Or by investing in raising our children to know Christ. Or to find ways to share our wealth to advance the gospel to others. Whatever it is, do it. And do it with flourish and with joy.
Evans left a legacy. What’s yours?
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