Marriage Does Not Make a Woman Total, and Complete -Apostle Josephine Femi-Asiwaju
The Lagos State PFN Women’s Wing Coordinator, Apostle Josephine Femi-Asiwaju, has described a total woman as one who first knows her identity in Christ, who is balanced in her spiritual life, her emotions, her physical appearance, and her mental mind.
She made this known as the guest speaker and special guest at the PFN Ibeju-Lekki Province Women’s Wing’s annual Maximum Impact Conference, themed “Total Woman”, held at the Church of Evangelism, Awoyaya, Lagos.
Quoting from Colossians 2:7, “and ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principalities and powers”. Apostle Femi-Asiwaju said the scripture gives a new understanding that a total woman should see herself in the completeness of Christ. “A total woman is not a perfect person without mistakes. It’s not about a woman who has not fallen, or has not messed up, or has not erred, but one who sees herself complete in Christ”, she said.
“A total woman is complete in Christ, and not in education, because education does not complete a woman, though good, and not a scam, but it does not complete a woman. What completes and makes a total woman is when you are in Christ. When you come to Him, the fullness comes together”, she stressed.
She berated married women who easily conclude that marriage makes them complete and total. Asiwaju said, “What makes a total woman complete is not because she’s married, or has children, but she knows her identity in Christ, and is complete in Him”.
Citing the introduction of Deborah in the Bible, she said, they didn’t remember she was married before introducing her first as Deborah, the prophetess who was a judge. She noted that Deborah was addressed with her identity, not with her marriage. “A total woman must first have an identity of who she is in Christ and outside marriage. Being married and being addressed as Mrs X is not an identity; it’s a plus. You can be married and not know your identity, you can be educated and acquire all the degrees, yet still not be a complete woman. Your completeness and first identity is in Christ”, she emphasised.
Apostle Femi-Asiwaju admonished women who claimed to be spiritual and neglected other areas of their lives to be intentional about taking care of themselves. “You must be intentional about your body, your relationship, and how you relate with people. You can’t be too spiritual and smell with body odour; you must be deliberate in making sure every area of your life is taken care of. Spirituality does not encourage dirtiness”.
The Convener of the annual Productive Women Summit further said that a total woman must be intentional, authentic, resilient, and compassionate with a deeper understanding of herself and her place in the world. She must have identity first in Christ with God’s design for her life, and understand that God allowed her to be in the world for a reason, and on assignment”. 
“Many are holding microphones because their husband are pastors, and if their husband is not a pastor, would they still be doing the assignment? “If you don’t know your assignment, you are a wasted woman”, she added.
Apostle Femi-Asiwaju charged the women, mostly pastors’ wives, to stay in their place of assignment and find relevance in their capacity as pastors’ wives, instead of competing for the microphone with their husbands. “You are not married only as a wife, but as a total woman who is God-centered, purpose-driven, and well-balanced. You must understand your identity in Christ and maximise your God-given potentials with beautiful qualities, and thrive spiritually, emotionally, and socially, radiating wholeness in every step of your life”, she charged.
Earlier in her address, the Province Women Coordinator, Pastor Dr Folake Oladepo, said the goal of the conference is to encourage, empower, and equip women ministers in the province to live out their faith in a meaningful way and become who the Lord has predestined them to be.
She enjoined participants to open their hearts and listen, learned, and relearn from various speakers who will be sharing their knowledge, experience, and expertise to impact the participants. “As we explore the theme, “The Total Woman”, through amazing anointed speakers and prayer anchors. I believed the vital roles expected of women in the life of our Churches, communities, and families, and every area of our lives will be increased”, she said.
Other speakers during the impactful conference with life-changing topics include Rev Dr Delight Olise (Executive Director, Convenant Child Academy), Pastor Babbie Egbe (Media Director, PFN, Lagos state Women’s Wing), Rev Dr Edith Okubanjo, and Dr Andrew Olawepo (Province Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Province), Archbishop Akinyoade, and others.
