Powerful Me: Living with Greater Meaning as a Magnificent Woman of God POWERFUL WOMEN That title conjures up images of CEOs, political leaders, wealthy philanthropists, and celebrities. We think of those who have a broad global impact through corporate leadership, medicine, entertainment, and legislative changes as the truly “powerful women” of today. But just as those women have an important role to play in the world with their “power,” God has empowered you with a unique set of gifts and skills to be used to make a difference in the lives of others. Living a life that is laser-focused on what God wants you to do gives you the power you need to change lives—from one to one million—and to create a rich legacy that honors Him. As a woman in midlife, you have no doubt influenced many lives as you have tried to be “manager of the universe” all these years. From your children to your community, you have been busy taking care of others so that they might be healthy, happy, and well-nourished. But then you reach midlife, and you begin desiring something more—you want a “do over!” Life after 40 may include the empty nest, career burnout, or finding yourself “suddenly single” after a marriage that went flat. You feel empty, alone, and powerless, wanting to live with purpose as you make a positive impact in the world. How do you know with certainty what that purpose is? How do you find the joy that He wants you to experience by following His plan for your life if you aren’t even sure what that plan is? God has given each of us unique gifts to serve Him. A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 12 says “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is…The variety is wonderful!” Yes, when God created you, He very carefully selected just the right blend of spiritual gifts, skills, personality traits and physical attributes for the role He has planned for you. Ephesians 4:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ESV I especially like the translation found in The Message: “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” Discovering your Divine Life Purpose brings an excitement and passion to your life that is abundant and fulfilling. Living on purpose helps you: 1. Know with clarity where God wants you to go as you live in tune with the purpose He has created you to fulfill; 2. Set goals for yourself that make you stretch and grow, casting aside your own selfimposed limitations because you know God has things planned for you that are beyond your wildest dreams; 3. Live with confidence, knowing that He has equipped you to do specific things (not every thing!) and He will take care of you, even when you stray from the path He has laid out for you. Living in alignment with your Divine Life Purpose means celebrating who you are as God created you, and then to be loud and proud about it! 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “God doesn’t want us
to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.” You are God’s creation! And it is your responsibility to share yourself with the world. One of my favorite quotes is from Marianne Williamson, who said: You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. Spend some time with God as you seek His divine purpose for your life. Ask yourself—and God —a few questions, and listen for the answers. • • • •
What are my unique gifts and skills? What do others tell me I am really good at doing? What are the things that bring me joy? What “lights my fire?” What action words to I most identify with? How can I serve others and honor God using what He generously created in me?
You are a Powerful Woman! Don’t limit God’s plan by the size of your own vision. He has so much planned for you! He will equip you to reach farther and accomplish more than you ever imagined IF YOU WILL LET HIM! In the coming issues, we will explore what it means to be powerful in God, to have a healthy mind and spirit that provides clarity, direction, and passion in every day, no matter what stage of life you are in. I am looking forward to our journey together, towards a healthy mind, body, and spirit , as we become the magnificent Powerful Women God created us to be!
SUSAN TOLLES is a Master in Midlife Reinventions, and as Founder of Flourish Over 50, a powerful role model who “walks her talk!” As a professional speaker, Certified Dream Coach®, author, and internationallyrecognized expert for women over 50, she is dedicated to inspiring and equipping women of all ages with the confidence and tools to acknowledge their unique gifts, discover their life purpose, dare to realize their passions, and create a future they never dreamed possible. www.flourishover50.com