Women, Where are Your Women?

Dianne E. Balch, Guest Writer

Today’s Treasure

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians: 2:19-22

Once my husband and I both knew Christ personally, we called the couple who had shared the gospel with us and asked, “Shouldn’t we be going to church? Where do you go? We want to meet you there.” And we did. Let’s fast forward 50 years of being in seven different evangelical churches, representing five denominations. Remember the ditty we were taught (with hand motions)? “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.” That cheerful, but shallow poem took on new meaning. At first, it was exciting to meet other people who knew Jesus. We appreciated the Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Sunday School teachers, Choir and others serving to make church work. We were being discipled by more mature Christians. We had been adopted into God’s family, the church! We are members of God’s household!

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians: 2:19-22

My beautifully transformed husband was ‘born again running,’ so a year into his walk with Christ he sold his partnership in his law practice, was accepted by a para church organization, and raised support so we could ‘go and make disciples.’ Our young family moved to Chicago for a year of training. Week after week I soaked up Bible teaching, skill training, guidelines for ministry, and how to help fulfill the great commission. It was an emotional year of change and trying to understand how God’s Word instructs us to build His church, advance His Kingdom, and become “missional.” Then came the last day of training. The trainer of our class was a tall, pencil slender woman, with a carrot-colored pixie hairdo. Got the picture? She stood, threw back her shoulders, took a deep breath and belted out, “WOMEN, WHERE ARE YOUR WOMEN? This statement ‘What she said’ became a huge pivotal point in my journey!

It took only seconds for her query to sink in, and I felt like someone had gut punched me. In nine months of gladly ‘taking it in’, but failing at ‘giving it out’, I felt like the Dead Sea with all of that wonderful teaching bottled up inside, without ever attempting to disciple one woman during that time. At home, I wept for hours. I prayed, asking the Lord to forgive me for missing the point. I asked Him to help me be a woman who prays for opportunities to make disciples who will follow Jesus. I knew “The Great Commission” and wanted to be faithful to obey it:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20

One of our churches had a beautiful work of art hanging in the large entryway. It read: HIS LAST COMMAND, OUR FIRST CONCERN. That was true of me at that time, and maybe it has been true of you at some point in your walk with Christ. Read that statement again and ask yourself, “Is it true of me now”? Is it true in the life of my church? Really? The answer is so important, because we ARE God’s house, both collectively and individually. Our God is watching us, wanting to see genuine love and concern for helping others become believers who will need to be taught everything Jesus has taught us.

Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God‘s house. And WE ARE HIS HOUSE if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

Hebrews 3:5-6

Did you notice the condition for being God’s house? It calls for courage and hope. Both are being challenged today as the world is topsy-turvy and it often looks like Satan is winning with fear tactics and lies. The Body of Christ is not just a building with a steeple, full of people. It is God’s family, made up of true believers who Jesus told to love one another just the way He loves us - unconditionally. I can’t do that, but the fruit of the Spirit is love. And I can die to self and let God’s love flow through me. What a challenge.

God’s people make up Christ’s church. God’s people are our brothers and sisters and like any relationship, it can get messy and it takes hard work to make it work! You see, the church is filled with EGR’s. (People for whom Extra Grace is Required) And like it or not, I am one! And so are you.

It will take God’s grace to love one another well. I’ve memorized a Puritan father’s definition of love. “What HE said” has been my guide: “Love is making a decision to make a commitment to another person’s well-being, regardless of their behavior or response.”

So how is all of this accomplished? Simple. All we have to do is die:

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

PRAYER

Father God, search our hearts. Expose and shed light on attitudes or actions that are sins, that need confessing and repentance. As Your blood bought children, help us be in tune when our sin nature struggles with the Spirit who wants to subdue our flesh (Galatians 5:17). Whose side are we on? Who do we want to win this internal battle? The Spirit and my flesh are in conflict with each other so we often don’t do what You want. But You have promised that if we are led by the Spirit and live by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of that sinful nature. We are promised Your cleansing and forgiveness when we confess our sins and walk in Your light. Revive Your church oh Lord. Begin in my heart. We want to enjoy communion with Your people, the church. Amen.

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 d ailytreasure@markinc.org.

WWS and H&H 2024Dianne BalchFebruary 8, 2024Feb2024Comment