A Fistful of Arrows
Christian women are taught to think of their children as arrows.
”As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full...” Psalm 127:4,5
And it’s true. But the Lord has sent me here today, and He has sent you here today, to hear something else - also true: that arrow metaphor can be ANY creative seed that you launch out into the world with intention. It can also be any gift that you aim and shoot with all your might, any gift given to you in seed form, that you have to nurture and grow, and that has the capacity to go on beyond you.
Your children are not your life’s only arrows.
I know, right? It’s like I just spoke heresy.
I have four grown children of my own. They are my arrows. They are unequivocally a heritage and a blessing. But they are not the only things I have to offer this world, and they are not the only weapons I have been given with which to impact darkness. If that were so, what of women who suffer infertility, or single women who choose not to adopt?
Isn’t it interesting that if you were having some sort of identity crisis, and you sought the help and advice of a coach or therapist, they would, almost 100%, ask you what it was you loved to do as a child! Within that child you were, was the seed of the man or woman you would become. So I will ask you:
What were those first glimmers of gifting and joy that were inside you as a child?
What were those seeds of your youth?
Those may very well be clues to your heritage. Those may be yet more arrows you were given, even before your own children were born. Those may yet be the arrows still in your quiver when your physical children are gone; because thankfully, the creative nest never has to empty.
I’ve said this so many times, in women’s conferences and various speaking engagements: No matter your age, you are expectant.
Dust off this arrow metaphor. If you are a woman “in the middle”, I challenge you to dust it off, and see it with fresh eyes! Look around in that quiver of yours that you thought was empty when the youngest went off to college. You’ll find yet more arrows - creative impetus that date back to your youth. Weapons begging for a target audience.
I’m excited to see what you’ve got.
Of Jawbones and Jackwagons
This is the place where I deal with my jackwagons. This is the place where I put my face in my Bible, cry out to the Lord, and come to terms with what God is speaking over the work of my hands, and the work of the Preacher’s hands. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit gives me a word for the work of your hands, too. Today is that day. Are you ready?
Every negative word spoken “about” you has been heard. It registers. Let me explain. Your jackwagon does not understand that those words said “about” you, are registering as words formed “against” you. They register as “tongues rising up in judgement” that it becomes your right - your “heritage” - to watch the Lord prove them wrong.
Those negative words spoken “about” you will be made to turn and chase the speaker. Not only that, but you get grace-for-grace. Those words will be reverse applied to you! They will become a source of blessing.
Let me give you an example. Your jackwagon (definition of jackwagon: the narcissist, or person with narcissist tendencies, who suddenly decides to consistently, overtly and covertly, undermine you) says, “She thinks she knows, but she doesn’t".” Well, it’s one thing for you or me to say something like that - we all revert to negativity now and then. But it’s another thing for me to be a jackwagon…to say those words in such a way as to undermine the work of someone else’s hands. Especially if it means I’m undermining the work of God through someone else’s hands. In that case - my words will turn and chase me. And now you know why I am careful about how I speak about others.
So your jackwagon says, “She thinks she knows, but she doesn’t.” Seems innocuous. But what if it’s undermining the mission? If it is, that word will turn and chase the speaker. Suddenly, that person will find themselves having to fight significantly for validation. They will find themselves feeling deeply unsure. Meanwhile, back at your ranch, you are getting grace for grace. Out of nowhere, you are finding yourself sure and confident, and others are being drawn to the power of your message.
How do I know all this?
Like - suddenly. Today. Today I know this for sure. How?
I know, by coming to this spot with an open heart, and putting my face in Judges 15. Specifically, Judges 15:16.
Samson’s jackwagons, the Philistines, came out speaking about him. Samson took the jawbone of a jackwagon and dealt with it. It was no coincidence that the weapon was a jawbone, and the Philistines were speaking.
This will put a new light on some of your spiritual battles, if you let it. You get to smile when you hear certain things being said about you. No, I’m being serious! You get to think in terms of grace for grace! You get to say to yourself, “This is amazing. I wonder what else my jackwagon said?”
No more sting. No more judgement. Because the Judge Himself, the writer of Judges has shown you that when the hand of God is on you to complete a mission, you don’t have to be perfect. Samson was far, far from perfect. But when the hand of the Lord is on you, you have the ability to take the jawbone of any jackwagon, and snatch victory from what was meant to be the jaws of discouragement and defeat.
You win.
And so it was, when Samson finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand and called the place, “Jawbone Hill.”
That’s so badass. Makes me so happy.