Unlocking Your Calling – Lessons from Deborah and Jael
Have You Ever Felt Like You’re Too Much?
As women, many of us have been told we’re “too much.” Too strong, too opinionated, too bold. Maybe you’ve felt like your leadership, your fire, or your passion for justice was something to shrink back from rather than something to step into. But what if I told you that God placed those qualities inside of you for a reason?
That’s why I want to talk about Deborah and Jael, two powerful women in the Bible who show us what it means to step into our calling without apology.
Deborah: A Woman Who Didn’t Hesitate
Deborah was the first female judge of Israel—a position unheard of in a time when women were often viewed as property. Yet, God chose her to lead.
She wasn’t just a judge; she was also a prophet, a wife, and a warrior in spirit. She carried many roles, yet she remained obedient to God’s calling on her life.
In Judges 4, Israel was in trouble—again. They had turned away from God, were suffering under oppression, and were crying out for deliverance. God answered their cries by raising up Deborah to lead. She called for Barak, a military leader, and told him that God had commanded him to go into battle. But Barak hesitated.
He told Deborah:
"If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go." (Judges 4:8)
Deborah didn’t hesitate. She agreed to go but made it clear that because of Barak’s reluctance, victory would ultimately come through a woman.
And that’s where Jael enters the story.
Jael: A Woman Who Took Action
While Barak and his army were fighting, Sisera, the enemy commander, fled on foot. He ended up at the tent of Jael, a seemingly ordinary woman. She welcomed him in, gave him milk, and covered him with a blanket.
But when he fell asleep, she took a tent peg and a hammer and drove it through his temple, killing him instantly (Judges 4:21).
Jael’s bravery secured Israel’s victory that day. And just as Deborah had prophesied, the enemy was defeated by the hands of a woman.
What Can We Learn from Deborah and Jael?
God Calls Women to Lead
If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re meant to step up, look at Deborah. She didn’t wait for permission—she walked boldly in the calling God gave her.
Obedience Leads to Victory
Jael wasn’t a trained warrior. She wasn’t in a position of leadership. But when the moment came, she acted with courage. Your calling might not look like someone else’s, but God has placed you where you are for a reason.
Your Strength is Not a Mistake
If you’ve ever been told you’re "too much," consider that maybe your fire was given to you by God for a purpose. Deborah and Jael weren’t timid. They were bold, decisive, and ferocious in their obedience to God.
Motherhood Beyond Biology
One of the most powerful truths from this story is that motherhood isn’t just about having children—it’s about raising up the next generation.
Deborah was called a "mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7). She spiritually mothered an entire nation, leading them with wisdom and strength.
The next generation is hungry for women who will guide them, speak truth, and stand against injustice. Whether you’re single, married, or a mother, you are called to influence and nurture those around you.
Are You Sitting Back When God is Calling You Forward?
It’s easy to let comfort keep us from stepping into what God has for us. But comfort can lead to complacency.
Maybe you’ve been waiting for someone else to act, thinking, "Surely someone else is more qualified to do this." But what if you are the one God is calling to rise up?
The enemy loves when we sit still, when we doubt our abilities, and when we let fear hold us back. But God has given you a voice, a purpose, and a mission.
So the question is—will you step into it?
Final Thoughts: You Were Made for More
Deborah and Jael didn’t let fear dictate their actions. They didn’t wait for the approval of others. They moved when God called them to move.
If God has placed something on your heart—a dream, a mission, a fight against injustice—don’t let fear stop you. Step out. Speak up. Move boldly in the calling He has given you.
Because we need you. The next generation needs you. The kingdom needs you.
And if anyone tells you that you’re "too much," remember this:
You were made to be exactly who God created you to be.
Now go and walk in it.