Life as a Christian Woman

I have a great friend who recently left to be a missionary. I am amazed and awed by her. I could never imagine myself picking up and moving to a place where I can’t speak the language, and where my religion is banned, leaving family and friends behind.

But anytime I remarked to her that I couldn’t do what she is doing, she pointed out that I wasn’t CALLED to do what she is doing.

Fair point.

Which brings me to last week. Our church was putting on a musical dinner theatre production to raise money for missions. I volunteered to help where needed, and on the day of the dress rehearsal I wound up scrambling to try to make a fake barbell for one of the characters. Our children’s ministry pastor stopped by to see how I was doing (and to gently make a few suggestions on how to do it better!), when we started talking about my friend. I laughingly said, “she was called to a foreign land to spread the word of God, and I am called to make a dumbbell!” We had a laugh, I finished my project, and the play was a big success.

But it got me to thinking. I had minimized my small part in the production, but there are no small parts in God’s world.

Follow me here:

I made a dumbbell that was used in a play that raised money for missions that makes it possible for my friend to spread the word of God in a foreign land.

Hmmm. Maybe my part wasn’t so small after all.

And that brings me back to all of us. We tend to look at ourselves as everyday Christians, separated by training and calling from pastors and missionaries. But we are all called, maybe not to the pulpit or the field, but to grow where God has planted us.

The reality is that God has placed us exactly where he wants us to be, and we must find our purpose in the place where He has put us. And wherever we are placed, we can share the love of God in ways both unique and understated.

If you are a mom, your family is your mission field (wow, that is powerful!). You are called to be a woman of God and help raise your children to honor Him.

OK, that one was obvious.

But what about at work? If you are living in His will, God has planted you in your job. Grow your seeds there. Place a Bible on your desk (if allowed), to serve as a “silent testimony” to your beliefs. Bow your head before a meal to thank the Lord for his bounty, and that, too, will speak volumes to those around you without saying a word.

And be aware of those around you, those who may be hurting or in need of some love. A young woman named Kelly was on her collegiate cheerleading squad. Lori, another member of the squad, was moody and irritable on a day to day basis, and no one wanted to be around her. One day, out of exasperation, Kelly asked her friend what was wrong. Lori said that she felt alone, believed she was an alcoholic and just didn’t know where else to turn. Kelly ministered to her, got her into rehab, and helped her learn about God’s love for her. Lori accepted Christ, and is doing great these days.

God planted Kelly on that squad long before she knew her purpose there… but He knew. He was already there.

So grow where you are planted. God will use you in unique and awesome ways.

Even if it is making a barbell!