Male and Female (by Cathe Laurie)

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NLT).

Last week, we talked about the beauty of womanhood. Being made in God’s image is incredible! But we’re just one half—one uniquely designed half—of His creation.

God Made Humanity Male and Female

When God made humanity, He made male and female. Not as an afterthought. Not as interchangeable blobs. But as two distinct, complementary beings designed to reflect something glorious: Himself. When God created the sexes, He wasn’t just inventing new categories for biology textbooks. He was putting Himself on display.

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NLT).

Male and female, He created them.

Complimentary Differences Between Sexes

While males and females are made spiritually equal, they are also made spiritually unique in design and purpose. After all, if we were made to do all the same things, there’d be no reason to have two sexes! He could have just made one version of the human being and called it a day.

Men and women are equal . . . but unique. Genesis 2 reveals differences in their God-given functions and responsibilities, which we’ll dive into later. For now, I just want to remember and celebrate the fact that men and women are, in fact, beautifully and divinely designed to be unique and different.

Culture’s Outlook on God’s Creation

In the world today, genders have become fluid. We’ve thrown away the idea that we’re different, as if that threatens our worth. We’ve decided that we can choose how we want to express our gender and even express that we’re dissatisfied with the idea of gender in general.

We’re straying further and further from the initial creation of humanity—the creation of male and female.

How are we forgetting how beautiful it is?

Male and female, He created them. Male and female. Two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together to create the image of God. Not separately. Not interchangeably. But together, as two distinct molds.

Celebrating Our Unique Gifts

Yes, ladies, we are different from men, and that is a wonderful thing! There are purposes for which men are uniquely designed and purposes for which we are uniquely designed. It’s how God wrote us into the story of the universe. We were gifted with abilities to do and see things that men cannot, and vice versa.

Can we take a step back and rest in the design that God intended? Can we rejoice in the intention of our Creator, in the beauty of womanhood, unique and separate from men? Can we acknowledge that we are, in fact, different and that it’s better that way?  Can we be content with how we fit into the puzzle of creation rather than trying to steal the spot of others?

We’ll chat more about what that specifically looks like next week, but this week I challenge you to read through the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 and pray that God would show you the beauty in being a woman, different from man.

Get these articles in your inbox!

—

Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.