Sister Theologian

  What’s “obvious” is hardly ever fully accurate. The surface tends to serve as an indicator, but it typically lacks depth and exposition. It’s dangerous to surmise and conclude based on what’s visible without further investigation. And so it is with reading Scripture. You hardly ever grasp the essence of the text with casual reading and superficial scanning. This cursory approach to Bible reading yields shallow insights masked as substantial revelation. As a single woman in the church, I’ve heard no shortage of sermons aimed at encouraging, preparing, or positioning women who hope to be married. And one of the most frequently used texts in the single woman’s toolbox is the book of Ruth. Ruth shows up in countless conferences and women’s gatherings, often framed as a guide for how to be found, noticed, or chosen. I’ve heard it preached this way: if Ruth stayed busy gleaning in the field, Boaz would eventually appear. If she positioned herself correctly, the blessing would come. For...

  Happy New Year!!! (Are we still saying HNY?) Let’s just go with it :) We’re at the top of a new year, and for many, this time represents an opportunity to start over, create new habits, revisit old ones, and refresh what didn’t quite stick during the last season. Discussions on and off social media are filled with declarations and promises of upgrades and improvements. And I respect it, no sarcasm. We all have areas in our lives that we have either completely dropped, neglected, or need some life (fresh perspective) breathed into them. Living spaces, closets, work offices, our health, our minds, or our image/aesthetic all may come to mind when pondering the new year and the changes that need to be implemented. They are all important, full stop. I don’t have the space to discuss how each of those aspects of our lives deserves intention and attention. However, I’d like to suggest that there are quieter, less overt spaces in our lives that may need revitalization. For believers, I’d...