Safe Haven

As I navigate my early twenties, I feel an ever-growing desire to truly know my heart as a woman—to become a woman of noble character, to steward a home, lean into a calling, serve a family, and champion a husband with grace. God has been leading me on this journey for the past few years, guiding me with such tenderness. He truly is the Lover of my soul.

Scripture is full of hints—little winks from God—revealing what He thinks of us as women and the special place we hold in His heart. The natural place to begin is with the first woman, Eve. While many feel disappointed or frustrated when they think of her, I’ve found myself strangely encouraged. Eve was God’s original design for womanhood—the perfect image bearer of God in feminine form. Even though we know how her story unfolds, there is still so much we can learn from her.

God created Eve from Adam’s side; she was a co-heir and co-laborer with him in ruling over the earth. The Hebrew word for “helper” is ezer kenegdo, meaning “life-saver” or “partner.” She was created to bring forth life—physically, spiritually, relationally. God entrusted women with the gift of bearing children. She was the crown of creation, the embodiment of God’s beauty displayed on the earth.

Eve was captivating.

And guess what? You are, too.

I know you might be thinking, “Me? I don’t feel captivating. I’m not even sure what that really means.” But God thinks you are. And if you don’t believe that, you may never fully see His heart toward you. He placed beauty within each of us as a grand expression of His love and delight. He longs to woo us and reveal our beauty to the world. But he is a gentleman—He unveils only what we allow Him to. It is a partnership.

To know what God is like and what He values, we must go to Scripture first. It is the foundation for everything. Your identity as a woman must be rooted in Christ alone. Then ask yourself: Where do I feel most like myself? What am I doing? Who am I with? Those answers may point toward the places where your God-given beauty begins to unfold.

Ask Him what He thinks of you. Ask Him what He loves about you. It may feel strange at first, but truly—ask, listen, and write it down. Soon you’ll find yourself smiling, realizing that your Creator is also your Lover. You were designed to be romanced by the One who formed your soul.

Our core question as women is, “Am I lovely?” The Father is eager to answer this question for us, but we must take it to Him first. The answer to that question can only be found in Him. If we take that question anywhere else, we will be disappointed and hurt time and time again. Because man was never meant to fill the eternal longing for God in our hearts.

“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called.” —Isaiah 54:5

P.S. This topic remains one of my favorite conversations to have. If this sparked your heart in any way, please go read “Captivating” by John & Stasi Eldridge. (In addition to “Wild at Heart”) These books have changed my entire perspective on biblical femininity & masculinity. May you invite God to work in and alongside you on this journey of discovery, and healing your original design with Him. 

Love, hav