That Started My Spiritual Journey
Dianne E. Balch, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11
While leaving an evangelistic coffee at the age of 30, I politely commended the speaker for her nice talk. I didn’t realize it then, but along with her story of coming to know him and the life changing transformation she had experienced, she had given a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would later recognize her as a woman who boldly lives Romans 1:16:
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the gentile.
I told the speaker I would like my daughter to have what she had. She asked my daughter’s age and I told her Katie was seven. What she said next challenged me to begin a search in the Bible for truth that would result in the assurance of my salvation six weeks later. With a sweet smile and a soft, lilting Southern accent Anne said, “Well honey, you can’t give her something you don’t have yourself.” She then asked me if I had ever “done my homework”, challenging me to begin with the gospel of John and to accumulate a list of questions so we could meet to discuss them over coffee. She assured me that we would not argue over the differences in our opinions, but only discuss what God’s Word says. My challenge was not to figure out if she was right or wrong, but if God’s Word was right or wrong - truth or lies. I can still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. But 50 years have passed since then and what she said changed the direction of my life.
So, as I begin my six days of contributing to Daily Treasures, I am thinking back to other women who spoke truth into my life at crossroads, just when I needed to hear it. In a different translation, Proverbs 25:11 has become a verse I treasure and return to often:
Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time.
The Lord began my journey with Him through a woman who was willing to be a bold witness of the Gospel at a time when the Holy Spirit was on the move, drawing me to the foot of the cross, giving me the gift of faith to believe and then to receive the Savior who had suffered and died for MY sins. This strategic relationship with Anne began with a divine appointment. She took me under her wing and discipled me, nurturing a love for Jesus and God’s Word that gave me the desire to be a disciple who labored to make disciples who would follow Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:2 unpacks four generations of spiritual discipling: Paul to Timothy, to Faithful, to Others! What a JOY when a woman introduces herself to me as my spiritual granddaughter or great granddaughter! They know that they were born to multiply, they have become Titus 2 women!
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:3-5
My spiritual mother and I have remained close friends through 50 years of a ministry which required my husband and me to make many moves and experience a variety of homes and communities. These days when this spiritual mother and I chat on the phone, I still listen carefully and expect the Lord to keep using her to speak into my life - and I’m never disappointed!
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
More recently, I am seeing opportunities to speak into women’s lives, who are Covid weary – feeling isolated, trying hard to keep a rhythm or routine that makes sense. Some are in dark places, afraid of the unknown. Some know Christ – others don’t – yet. This is a time when the Light and Life of Christ must be held out as the only source of true, meaningful and eternal consequences! We are meant to make a difference in one another’s lives!
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
PRAYER
Father God, we thank You for the friendships You have given us that have sharpened our sensitivity to Your truth, which sets us free. Please help us listen carefully to the women You have placed in our lives. Give us “wisdom from above” to “speak the truth in love”, at just the right time, to just the right woman, to encourage her right where she is on her spiritual journey with or towards Jesus. We give thanks to You for the women who have spoken into our lives. (They might be encouraged to hear from us and be reminded of their impact in our lives.) We ask for the Holy Spirit’s heart and guidance as we listen to others or speak into their lives. Thank You for letting us be life-giving instruments in Your hands. For Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.