 Scripture: “Villages were deserted, they were deserted in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel” Judges 5:7. The Bible describes this woman of God as wearing multiple hats: prophetess, judge (adjudicator/ruler), military advisor, spiritual guide, and leader. I resonate with her so much because I, too, wear many hats: evangelist, church elder, mother, education advocate, leader, entrepreneur, educator, and mentor. Devotion: Deborah is the only judge of Israel mentioned in the Bible, and her story is one that had a positive impact on her country and her people. She ruled with fairness, loyalty, and with God’s wisdom. Her unique approach to serving her people (under a palm tree) also set her apart from other judges mentioned throughout the Bible. As a young woman, I shied away from my uniqueness, but as I have become older, I embrace being different and doing things differently. Even as an introvert, my gifting causes me to stand out. She was a woman who let love, compassion, and nurturing lead her. Her exhortation and support of Barak is one of the key relationships to her leadership that I found interesting and connected with. I have an intense and intentional passion for seeing the “underdog” win, and strive consistently to encourage and motivate others to their potential in God and in life’s pursuits. Deborah’s ability to balance her calling as a prophetess and her mantle as a political leader to her people speaks volumes to me as I strive to achieve that same kind of balance in my calling and life’s purpose work. Her level of confidence in not only her ability to lead, but in decision-making direction from God are qualities I look to apply to my own life. I desire to have her same level of discernment and fortitude in knowing “who” to invest in and how to do it. Lesson/Takeaway: As women, we are not only powerful life-givers, but we are also strategic, supportive, and innovative. Following God’s examples in His word should be all of our life’s desires. We should look up to these women in how they not only fulfilled their roles of their time, but their stories and lives impacted history. I desire to have that same level of impact in my family, my community, my church, and in my business. Prayer: Lord God, I thankYou for thinking of us by giving us examples after Your own heart. I thank You for giving us a standard and at the same time, giving us room to develop and grow into our own calling. I pray that each little girl or woman who reads this is just as encouraged and impacted by Deborah’s story as I am. Speak to each one of them, giving them the keys to their purpose and the path in which You have designed for them. Lord, please help us to desire to be women of impact for our world and for Your kingdom. We submit to You to write our story. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Reflection Questions: In what ways has God called you out to be different? What traits do you have that may have made you once feel like an “outcast,” but now you use them to empower you?  Tonya Franklin is an international, best selling, and award winning author. She has been in ministry leadership for almost 30 years. Tonya has been a trailblazer by introducing praise dance ministry to her local church in the late 1990s and was instrumental in helping shape youth choirs and ministries. Tonya is a speaker, evangelist, and mentor to youth, young adults, and women. She has served in the leadership ministry for almost 32 years, and formerly worked in education and with at-risk youth. In her professional pursuits, she is a marketing strategist and publicist, and was the founder of the first digital publication for virtual assistants of color (2015). Tonya is also the mother of 3 children.
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