"Well-behaved women seldom make history"

I love this quote. I love it not because it gives women the freedom to behave badly, but rather because it encourages and empowers women to go against the grain. Joan of Arc, Ruth, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, and Emily Dickinson are just a few among thousands of women who dared to be different. They were women who embraced who they were, walked in full fledged confidence, and humbly refused to make apologies for the actions they took. I highly doubt they were well liked or popular in their time. Their works were criticized, their words trashed, their purpose misunderstood, and their vision unshared... but they stayed true.

Have we somehow lost sight of the fact that Jesus too was a radical who changed history? He loved the unlovely, extended grace to the sinners, broke all the rules, and spoke truth in the face of strong opposition.

No- I dont want to be a "well-behaved" woman. I dont want to be afraid of others disapproval of me. I want to be authentic and true. I want be unashamed of the choices I make. I want to live, speak, and write what God puts on my heart. I want to encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to be used by God. I'm not looking to make history or gain popularity. I don't need praise or applause. When its all said and done- this quote says it all:

The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look
back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands. I am
finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, the bare minimum, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, frivolous living, selfish giving, and
dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I
don't have to be right, first, the best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live
by faith. I lean on Christ's presence. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with the
power of God's grace.
My face is set. My gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my
companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I
will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the
table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid
up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give until I drop, speak out until all know,
and work until He stops me.
And when He returns for His own, He will have no difficulty recognizing me. My banner is
clear: I am a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

~Anonymous African Pastor

No, I am not a well behaved woman... are you?