introduction

Indeed creation was not complete until God fashioned and breathed into woman the breath of life.  It was then that God gave God’s grand benediction over all creation and declared in Genesis 1:31 that it was very good.   In fact, woman completed the circle of life and God’s plan for humanity. Therefore given this reality why aren’t we clear about our purpose, promise and power?  Why are we finding ourselves in destructive and toxic relationships?  Why are we so depressed and despondent and unable to achieve our goals?  Why are we living beneath our promise and possibility?  Women of Destiny was written to help women focus on the process of developing, shaping, and birthing purpose in their lives. 

It is out of my own spiritual journey to discover and know myself that I have chosen to address the issue of women achieving spiritual self-actualization. Spiritual self-actualization is defined as achieving one’s ultimate destiny in life; and recognizing one’s power, authority and influence in the world.

I quickly discerned that if I, a woman who was afforded every opportunity to succeed in life (great parents, good education, economic stability, supportive siblings, and meaningful friendships), was struggling with becoming spiritually self-actualized that there must be others who wrestled with the same issue.  I realized through my own personal journey that being lost, not knowing your purpose in life, and not using your gifts and talents fully for the kingdom was a horrible abyss.  It was a dark, cold place filled with tears and pain.  As I talked to other women in the church and outside of the church I quickly discerned that I wasn’t the only one struggling to know self.  I wasn’t the only one unhappy with being unproductive.  I wasn’t the only woman who had given the authority for her destiny and the reins of her life over to someone else.  I wasn’t the only woman who ended each day feeling exhausted and unappreciated.  In the five churches that I had found myself working in over the years, whether they were small or large, one reality resonated, and it was that women were searching. Although many of these women were successful in their careers, in their homes, in the community, in politics, and even in the church, many of them still could not answer the question, “Why did God create me? What is my life’s purpose?” As I began to minister in a context with more women, I began to receive feedback that through my living, my preaching, my teaching, and my counseling, I was helping women discover their true being in God.  And so I was faced with the sudden and swift reality that I would either have to ignore this charge/mandate to help women or I was going to have to develop a process or program to move women toward their destiny in God.  Vision and purpose in our lives is often times birthed through our burdens.  You might see someone living in the streets and suddenly a burden is placed upon your heart to reach out to the homeless.  You may encounter a woman who is in an abusive relationship and the burden to free her is so great you dedicate your life to rescuing abused women and children.  Well, this is the case with Women of Destiny.  I felt a burden, I saw a need, I sensed a serious problem existing in the Christian community among women and this work is my attempt to lift that heavy burden.