As the world watches the USA elections with unabated interest, I cannot but wonder how many of us kept awake all night, following the elections. Undoubtedly, this is one election that has generated so much interest around the globe primarily for three reasons:

1. When Big Brother (the USA) sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. Undoubtedly the policies crafted in the United States have a tremendous impact on other countries with ripple effects experienced worldwide. Consequently, everyone is on their seat’s edge, eager to know how things will shape out.
2. This is probably the most keenly contested race in the history of the United States and the polls rate them at par. It is therefore anyone’s guess as to who emerges as the next President.
3. If Kamala Harris wins, she will be making history as the FIRST Female President of the United States of America – a monumental win. I dare say, that even if she loses, her courage should be commended, and she would be the second woman to contest and lose in the USA.

While following the elections, my mind played back to a conversation I had with a friend about two decades ago regarding the appropriateness of women for Leadership roles. He believed that women are not cut out to face the pressures of Leadership and that they were created to assist the men with their roles. They could deputise or assist but not lead. After a heated debate, we called a truce as my arguments seemed lost on him. I still hold strongly to my view that even in biblical times, there is the record of a female leader – the only record – but it proves that God is not averse to women in leadership roles. That woman was DEBORAH.

The Bible records that at the time when Judges ruled Israel before they cried out to God for a King like other nations, there was a female Judge and Prophetess called Deborah. She ruled at a time when Israel was under oppression by the Canaanites for twenty years. As a judge, she adjudicated on matters brought to her for settlement and exercised wisdom and knowledge from her relationship with God, in settling disputes. However, she felt compassion for her people and interceded with God for her people. She heard from God and obeyed the instruction to engage the Canaanites in battle. She then sent for the Military Leader – Barak and instructed that he prepare his men for war. Barak feared the Canaanites and insisted he would only go to war if Deborah went with them. She did and prophesied that the victory would lie in the hands of a woman. Israel defeated the Canaanites, and a womancalled Jael, lured and killed the King of the Canaanites. Clearly, Deborah exhibited laudable leadership traits and was rewarded with forty years of peace for the Israelites.

Deborah was visionary – She foresaw challenges and opportunities and crafted plans to achieve positive results.

She was approachable as people sought her out for justice.

She displayed wisdom and knowledge in the dispensation of justice.

She was sensitive in the spirit and obeyed God’s instructions and directions.

She was courageous and confident and did what needed to be done. If the army needed her to go to war, she was not afraid.

She did the needful to achieve the desired results. She worked as a team leader, driving and encouraging the members to achieve the desired goal.

In a world in which men dominate Leadership positions, it appears to be an uphill task for women to break through the ranks of Leadership, but we are not giving up.

Love

Havilah