Witch, Woman, or Beaufighter?

Colin Melbourne
© 06-08 Born-Again-Christian.Info

A message inspiring Christian women to transform from shrinking violets into beautiful conquerors through Christ.

Ugly and Rejected

She was quite a handful, even for front-line fighter pilots. The Mark 1 Bristol Beaufighter was a power-packed, pugnacious Pit-bull, compared to the dainty characteristics of the Airspeed Oxford most had trained on. Battle-hardened night fighters unanimously voiced their objections to the wartime Ministry of Defence.

She's nose-heavy, veers drastically on takeoff, has no longitudinal stability, tail area is dangerously small, and she ground-loops on landing!

We can't take on the enemy in this thing. Have it back and get it right before you ask us to risk our necks in this death-trap!

The MoD was reluctant to modify the new aeroplane because it was urgently needed to combat the German night raiders of the Luftwaffe bombing Britain into submission.

Its 'top-heavy' design was due to the weight of two massive 1400 bhp radial engines required to catch the speedy attackers. But experienced aviators had rejected it, so what could they do other than perform lengthy and expensive modifications?

One Lord: One Mission

Weak men like weak women, and strong men like strong women. Which does Jesus want?

God's got no use for timid cowardly women believers who hide behind men waiting for their permission to fulfil Christ's call on their lives. If your pastor, or husband, is restraining you from following Jesus by reaching out to the lost with His Message: Ignore them and submit to Christ. To obey such men is to rebel against Christ, who commands you;

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mk. 16:15

That's not just for men, that is for all believers regardless of gender. If you claim to be a Christian, that is the chief call on your life. Obey it, or stand ashamed at His Coming. (1 Jn. 2:28)

Being a homemaker and mother is not your calling or ministry, any more than being a father and breadwinner is a man's ministry. Every believer is commanded to be a soul winning proclaimer of the Good News. (Mtt. 28:18-20)

That is your God-given ministry; preaching Christ to every creature to the ends of the earth until He comes. You can do that if you follow Him. Indeed you must, there are no valid excuses for denying it. Look at the terrible price one housewife paid for procrastinating whilst pleading inability. Learn from her mistake and complete the work God has prepared for you to do.

Christ saved you by grace, through faith, not by works, so that you can continue His ministry on earth today.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10

At War with the Beast

The MoD denied requests for a Beaufighter redesign. They further incensed the squadron of rebels by declaring that Royal Air Force Test pilots had approved the handling of the tricky machine so the deficiency must be due to their lack of flying skill.

Tensions reached breaking point with pilots refusing to go to war in the 'Flying Brick'. The MoD stuck to its ruling and ordered 29 Squadron to accept delivery of the Mark 1.

You could cut the atmosphere with a cricket stump as the first one arrived over the horizon. The indignant battle pilots twitched their moustaches in exasperation as they watched it approach.

The aircraft sank to treetop height, its twin supercharged Hercules engines snarling at full throttle. On reaching the airfield perimeter the Beaufighter snapped into a 360 degree victory roll above their heads, followed by an almost vertical climb and stall turn reversal, plummeting to ground level with a last minute flare-out, and perfect three-point landing.

It was a breathtaking display of airmanship that left the twelve top-guns gasping in wide-eyed admiration. Clearly, an expert test pilot had been sent to show them how to master the beast.

The Beau taxied to dispersal where the engines were switched off and its pilot dismounted.

Picture the faces of those awe-struck men as they rushed to congratulate the flying ace calmly removing his flying helmet. To their horror, they discovered 'he' was a diminutive she. A run o'the mill ferry pilot of the women's Air Transport Auxiliary.

Piece o'cake ol'boy?

The MoD was not troubled by any more complaints about the 'unhandle-able' Flying Brick.

The Beaufighter had a distinguished career as night fighter and torpedo bomber, serving until the 1950s.

Listen Christian women!

When you dare to take up your mantle, and follow the Lord as He commands, you will receive flak from the enemy. Much will come from men, even Christian men, and you need to be ready for it.

They'll let you teach Sunday school, and women's groups, but when you dare to walk in Jesus' steps, they will fiercely abuse you.

The moment the Lord uses you to proclaim His message, and confirms it with signs and wonders, sinners will turn to Christ, the sick will be healed through you, but men will begin to snarl, and show their teeth. You'll wonder what you've done wrong.

The mightiest Christian woman I've ever met endured scorn and abuse throughout her five decades of miracle ministry. Dr. Daisy Osborn preached Christ to millions in 73 nations, accompanied by countless wonderful miracles.

She said that when she went to Australia, some Christian blokes rebuked her, and challenged her authority to preach Christ. In response she informed them that Christ's authority and endorsement was enough, and didn't need theirs.

They scoffed at her audacity, so she boldly told them to watch and see. Then the evangelist proclaimed Christ, and He once again confirmed His Word on a woman's lips with more healing miracles.

Now let's see you do the same! Was her challenge to the detractors: And that shut their mouths.

That courageous Christian woman said from experience,

They will even accuse you of being a witch!

Just like the Pharisees accused Jesus of using demon power to work miracles.

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons".
Lk. 11:14-15

Ponder these points for a power surge

• What made the difference between that petite ATA, and the pick of the Royal Air Force?
• What did she have that they lacked?
• What did they see in her that they had failed to spot in themselves?
• Meditate on that, then consider this:
• Why was Dr. Daisy Osborn special; was it the call of God on her life, or her complete belief in, and commitment to it?
• Has God called you?
• All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... and surely I am with you always, to the end of the age. Mtt. 28:18b-20

It matters not whether you are male or female, what's vital is that you believe in your ability through Christ.

The same Jesus who raised the widow's son, who defeated all the power of Satan with His Word is with you and in you.

Chocks Away!

His Word still works just the same today, if you only believe: You'll see.

You can do greater works, and shut the devil up in Jesus' Name!

Then you'll be more than a man, more than a woman, you'll be an all-conquering Beau-Fighter, for the Glory of God.

Picture shows a woman Spitfire pilot of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary)