All through Scripture God shows how He has placed women in places of great responsibility to further His Kingdom. He appointed Deborah as judge over Israel and she led her people into victorious battle against Canaan. It was also a woman, Jael, who ended the life of their enemies’ commander. (Judges 4)

God placed Esther in the court of the Persian king Ahasuerus as his queen. Because of her position, God used her to save the Jewish people from slaughter. (See the Book of Esther for this marvelous story.)

God chose the young virgin, Mary, as the vessel in which He implanted the Seed which would become His Word, flesh here on earth (Luke 1:26-38).

In Acts 9:36-42, we find the account of Dorcas. We are told that she "abounded with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did". In fact, her life was such a ministry to those around her that when she became ill and died, the disciples sent men to find Peter, that he would return with them and raise her from the dead! What a witness to her service!

The list goes on. In fact, there are several records of women where we aren’t told of their exact ministries, but whatever they did God saw it important enough that He included their names in His Word! (Romans 16;1-2, 6) Should that not also be our hearts’ desire?

I believe God has instilled in each woman the desire to not only serve, but to serve freely and bountifully. We desire to be used of God to reach others. We desire to bless others, so that in turn, they may go out and bless others themselves.

But more than that, we see ourselves as God’s servants, in "that whatever we do, in word or deed, we do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus" (Col 3:17). We see our individual talents as God-given, and we know that as we serve others we are serving God.

Just this morning God led me to 1 Chronicles 28:2. King David is telling his people that he had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant, but that God had let him know that he was not the man to do this. God told David that because David had been a man of war and had shed blood God could not allow him to build the temple, but rather David’s son, Solomon, would be the one to accomplish the task.

God told me that He was not telling David that he was unworthy. After all, we know that God recognized David as "a man after His own heart who did all that God willed him to do." (Acts 13:22)

Rather, when God told David that he was a man of war and had shed blood, He was acknowledging that David had done all the God had asked of him to prepare the way for the time of peace when His temple could be built.

David’s service to God made him a pioneer. Everything he did was for God. Everything he did was preparation for his son’s reign when the temple could be erected.

God then reminded me of the pioneers in our own country’s history. Everything these courageous people did was not for themselves, but for their children and for the future of the United States. And we see pioneers all through the years - people sacrificing not for their own benefit, but for those coming after.

I believe women are pioneers. Everything we do, we do for God. Everything we do is preparing the way for those who come after. Everything we do and accomplish sets the tone and defines the vision for the rest of Christ's body, and our families.

Being a woman is an awesome privilege.  Thank God today that He created you to be a woman.  Seek Him for wisdom and strength to carry out the responsibilities He has entrusted to us.