When my children were small and one of them was sick, disgruntled or offended, all they wanted was me simply because I was their mom. Although they were only children and did not yet have in-depth reasoning resources, they knew that the only one who was able to comfort, to give wisdom and to assuage the pain was their mom. While a mother is intrinsically a nurturer, a mom is also not hesitant to lovingly correct and, if necessary, firmly admonish because she knows the importance of obedience to a child's well-being and healthy future.

As I ponder what is going on in America and in the body of Christ today, I believe that it is time for the voice of the mothers to rise up in power, in compassion and in wisdom. Mothers have the God-given capacity to comfort like no other, to listen as others are unable to and to show greater levels mercy than others are capable of exhibiting. Mothers also are not afraid to correct their beloved children when needful.

Perhaps America and the church needs a mom who will speak up, lead with compassion and contribute much needed biblical wisdom. Perhaps America and the church need an entire generation of mothers who will lead with compassion yet with discernment. America, for far too long, has listened to politicians pontificate, to media personae blabber and to philosophers philosophize. The church has made the same mistake. It is time to listen to the mothers of this generation.

A mother is able to come into a difficult situation, peruse it quietly and then determine a plan quickly. It is a mother who truly knows best.

The Lord is calling the seasoned women in the body of Christ to rise up and to lend their wisdom to a difficult time in church history. We must lead the younger generations into an uncompromising commitment to the Word of God. We must remind our own generation that we serve a God who has commanded us to love one another regardless of socioeconomic levels, education or the color of skin. We must call the body of Christ to a time of deep intercession and focused faith. We must.

Esther was challenged by Mordecai at a difficult time in the history of God's people to remember that she "had been born for such a time as this." We too have been born at this moment in history for holy purpose and for leadership. I believe it is a high honor to be alive today in the awesome year of 2020. God has chosen us, as His beloved children, to navigate these times with His Spirit, with His Sword and with His heart.

The challenge is a simple yet has the potential of creating great change across our broken nation. Women, especially mature and tested women, must speak the truth with love and compassion to the church, in their homes, to the children and grandchildren, in their neighborhoods and in public places. Now is not the time for silence, mothers, but it is the time for which you were born to speak with the authority of heaven.

America and the body of Christ are desperate for the influence, for the leadership and for the voice of a mom.

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical, biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written 11 books, including Significant, StormProof and Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman's Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.