International Women’s Day

Embrace Equity

This year’s International Women’s Day theme of Embrace Equity invites us to reflect on the unconscious biases we all hold and to work to reduce barriers that limit the participation or growth of people on the basis of their gender or other characteristics. Sometimes we can place those same limits on ourselves.  Our internal voice can tell us that we are not good enough or sufficiently like others that we view as successful and we choose to limit our engagement with a particular opportunity. Having the courage to rise above the limits set by ourselves or others, creates a tremendous sense of freedom in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter. Learning to view life as an adventure where we look for opportunities to extend ourselves and lift those around us to do the same, brings energy and possibility into life.  There is a particular joy when someone realises that they have gone beyond what they thought was possible.

God invites us into relationship with Him and to use our gifts to care for and enhance the lives of people and the planet. God invites all of us to walk with Him barefoot along a dirt road, just as we are. Jesus was criticised for inviting outcasts to eat with Him. Through God’s love for us, we are invited to see the strengths and possibilities in ourselves and the people we encounter and lift to where we can see and embrace better opportunities.