to be authentically myself

I have been noticing recently, that there are more and more strong women speaking out for gender inclusive language for the Divine, and recognizing that our female sexuality is sacred.  I am so honored to know that I can count myself as one among so many of these bold others.  For you see, while I know in my soul-gut that this is to be the direction my life follows toward vocation, it is much easier said than done.  

                                      

But there is a reason I struggle with how to do this "right" or "safely."  These growing souls I have been granted the gift of nurturing are daily reminders of how harmful bad theology and un-thought-out theology can become.  While many of us who have been raised within the christian church don't recognize ways we may have been oppressed, as a mother I can see BOTH my male and female children oppressed every.single.day by the language we use both in the church about the Divine, and in the world about our bodies.

 One thing that I have been painfully aware of for most of my life is that I am not called to parish ministry.  The politics and personalities in a community like that make for molasses-like movement towards change.  Especially in the Lutheran category of christian.  I have been challenged by this time and time again, and have tried to keep my mouth shut so that I don't become "that lady on her soapbox."

 But I have come to recognize that it may be time for me to fling wide the gates and ignore the feelings that I don't want to be listened to, or that my young voice is over-motivated, or that my notions are too bold for my neighborhood and community.  If we claim Christ as our savior, then aren't we also claiming his bold actions toward justice, equality, and love?

 I guess the time is approaching when I will have to take ownership of my authentic self and be bold in my asking, and serious about my intentions to get my religious community to remember that my children and all the rest of the boys and girls we are raising are valuable enough to teach them the truth about God's gender- that male and female are both made in the image of the Divine and both have holy bodies and holy experiences that link them to the sacred.

How would you like to see your church challenge the status quo of God and body language?  Do you sense a need for change, or does the way it is resonate with you for a particular reason?  I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments :)