I have to share my favorite book read of the year! Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Mark Chanski has been one of the most challenging and influential books I have read in strengthening and encouraging me in my calling of pursuing Biblical womanhood. It is a must read for every woman!
Mark Chanski presents this call throughout the book: “On the field of life, God challenges every woman to live and run in such a way as to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24). In whatever she puts her hands to, she’s to “do it with all her might” (Eccl. 9:10) in order to hear that blessed commendation from her Lord, “Well done, you good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). And if she’s to achieve this noble goal on the field of life, she needs to be convinced of living according to these two fundamental principles: “Play your position!” and “Win it!”
Godly women, made in the image of God, must daily tell themselves: Win it! to the glory of God. We must for the long haul, for the entire game, contest after contest, resolve to put forth maximum effort to rule and subdue our daily challenges, so help us God. We have each been called to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it. What field do you have to subdue? If you are a wife and homemaker, this will look like subduing the chaos and overcoming the obstacles in your home, creating order and stability for your family. If you are a student, this means pressing into your studies, focusing on the goal and accomplishing it. This is dominating your world whatever season of life you are in!
“A woman is to dominate aggressively her environment, rather than allow her environment to dominate her. She needs to work and play with a win it instead of with a surrender it mindset. She must rule and subdue, rather than letting herself be ruled and subdued. God has commissioned her to assert herself aggressively as a master over the teeming spheres of her life. God has not assigned her to sit on her porch swing with a pink parasol daydreaming what she might do “if only” the obstacles weren’t so complicated. No! She’s to get out there and do it with all her might! (Eccl. 9:10).
In marriage, He gives the challenge to “stop blaming your man, and start helping him!”
In child-rearing, he issues: Give yourself to raising those children! You have been given a royal assignment, so go forth and win their hearts for the gospel!
What challenged me the most in this book was the beautiful glimpses it provided in what a high calling God has assigned to women. We are the goalies in the soccer game of life. We may not be out in the front lines scoring points, but we are guarding our goalie at home. We are protecting the home base! It motivated and continues to motivate me to just do it, to play my position with all my might. I must not focus on the overwhelming task ahead of me in home managing, being a helper to my husband, and a nurturer to my children. I must get out there and subdue my domain. Do the next thing…work heartily as to the Lord and not unto men for you are accomplishing a kingdom purpose!
Highly recommend this read! It is one I will read again and again. I am hoping, Lord willing, to host a book study on this book starting the beginning of the new year. So pick up your copy or add it to your Christmas wish list! It is worth every penny!
Encouraging reading in our home is one way to pursue simple and fruitful lifestyles. Why not designate one night a week to be a family reading night? Turn off the distractions, and have every one cuddle up in your favorite spot with a good book and enjoy!
