On Saturday, January 21, 2017, millions of women gathered around the country to march for something that was meaningful to them. They marched, shoulder to shoulder they stood for a common cause. They stood for those who couldn’t stand. They spoke for those they felt didn’t have a voice. They marched with varying purpose yet as a single group. They were undivided even by their great diversity. If they can do it, why don’t we? 

Now, before things get really out of hand here and you make all kinds of assumptions about this post just hold on and read it through. But for those of you who refuse to see reason, I’m not siding with any group in this matter. I’m not speaking for or against the march because there are way too many variables. What I want you to see today isn’t the cause of the march, it isn’t really even the march itself. It’s not the protest, whether peaceful or not. What I want you to see is what happens when a group of people come together for a single purpose.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the most sensitive person in the world, and for those of  you who know me you can cough the word *understatement* right about now. But I am observant. What did you see in the #womensmarch that took place around the country? What did you hear when you got past the chanting and all of the rhetoric? What was the real point of what happened?

As much as I’d like to tell you it’s about women’s rights, I just can’t. I’d like to tell you it’s about equal treatment or preserving life or something like that, but honestly the greatest thing we can learn from the march is what happens when people become passionate about something. But why is it that the negative things embolden our passion? Why do we have to be down right pissed off about something before we stand up and find others to support us in our cause? (sorry if I offended you) Why not gather this kind of support and drive for something of positive impact? Why not be proactive instead of reactive?

I want to draw your attention to two very simple words that were absolutely huge in this march that consumed so much of America. The words with and for. You see, the #womensmarch was about women marching with women for women. It’s really that simple. They were shoulder to shoulder in vast numbers. Some were angry. Some were excited. Some had no place better to be that day. Some were planning for this day for weeks while others made a last minute trip. But they were all there with & for one another. They stood with one another despite their vast differences for one another to gain attention.

So check this out. If women are willing to gather in these vast numbers to support one another in a time of perceived oppression, then I would like to believe they’d be just as willing to gather with the same passion to walk with & for our younger ladies. The church I serve has been working for months to put together a day for young women to be strengthened and to learn how to walk with and for. We’ve been praying for this day since early August when a young lady from church approached me about this idea, and now we’re only a couple short weeks away. Oddly enough our theme is with & for.

A wonderfully powerful woman of God and dear friend, Heidi, is coming to speak new life into the young ladies. She is going to show them what it means to walk with one another for Christ. Heidi and I are extremely passionate about helping these young women live to their potential. But more importantly, we’re all in when it comes to helping them see God’s potential in them. We want them to know not only how great our God is but how beautiful they each truly are.

Here’s what I’m asking all of you who read this post. Take a moment to pray for the young women who will gather at Living Word on February 4. If you’re in the area, check out the details of the retreat online. We would love to walk with you as together we learn how to better live for Christ.