Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Courage to be Faithful to the Commitment

I started writing this back in Oct. and it would not 'finish'. Now, my thoughts have been completed on this part of the message.
I come with encouragement for all that seek it.

Thursday 10.18.07

As I was doing some research on the subject of, images of women in Biblical Artwork for a talk/lecture that I had to give at a local college, I saw deeper into the characters of a few women in the Bible that I thought I already knew about. (don’t you just love it when growth is apparent) I saw them in a different light and wondered how I had missed this information, before. I wondered why I didn’t see their strength and commitment on this level before. Then it “clicked”, that I have grown and was not ready to see all this until I did.

So I started thinking about the commitments these women have made to themselves, to God, to live with integrity, with a Joy and determination that no matter what happens, no matter what other people say about them or do to them that they will not be moved.

Knowing about the times that these women lived in, made their commitments even more amazing to me. I think, how can I say that what I am living through and learning, is too much – a burden, or that it’s impossible.

I know that as long as I walk this faith walk-this love walk - that God will meet my faith. This is a comforting piece of wisdom.

Thinking to myself at times about the trials i may be faced with or others that come to me, and the 'not knowing what to do', is hard, discouraging at times, difficult, a sense of wanting to give up = YES, these thoughts cross my mind—and I have learned to let them cross right on through – out of my mind.

That I must remember my commitment to myself and to God, that I will not give up and I will not allow negatives to sway me toward a mentality of defeat. I remember that in Luke 21:15, that God said, "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict,"

And I know that, even though at times I feel removed from understanding what I am doing, (really I want to know what lies ahead-I figured this out so I could let it go), that I am being taught how to see and accept God’s powerful love at work in my life, and that of my family. That learning about these powerful women (and men) their character-teaches me about new beginnings, trust, courage, and servanthood. There is a renewal I experience by studying the lives of people that are well known and the lesser known’s in the Bible.

“Sometimes I feel discouraged and feel my work’s in vain. but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.” – There IS a Balm in Gilead !

The lives of these women were molded to fit the call on their lives, whether they knew about God or not-He molded them to do what needed to be done.

In Exodus 1:18-22 we learn about these two women, Shiphrah and Puah who dared to deceive Pharaoh, buying more time to spare more children. Going against what Pharaoh ordered was a courageous act for them to carry out. They were rewarded for their commitment to God’s directions but there were also limits. Pharaoh assigns not just two midwives but "all his people” the task of killing the Hebrew male infants.

One may think that Shiphrah and Puah failed, but they did all they could-and that too is part of the meaning of courage. You do not have to do the inconceivable, only what is within your capacity. The courage of these two women puts self at risk for faithfulness to God. It even puts truth at risk for the greater good of saving the innocents. They wanted to save new life through their courage.

As I read about these two women, I feel a comfort in knowing that what trials and teachings that I am going through are nothing, but that courage is being strengthened in my character. God is God of the future, and He is God of rightnow!, and I ask Him to give us courage for this day- courage to trust His presence, courage to still our fears, courage to seek the new life that She has created for us to be within.

Queen Vashti was a Persian princess from birth, who was the wife of a king "who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces,” When she was commanded to disrobe and “dance” for his male friends at the feast he gave, her self-respect and high character meant more to her than her husband’s vast realm. She gave up her position, the power and the riches that he had gained through conquering the kingdoms of others. She gave up land, money, prestige, in order to keep her dignity and righteousness.

That speaks volumes to me and I hope to all of you reading this.
I asked for and have accepted the Courage to be Faithful to the Commitments that I have made to God and I expect Her to continue to be Faithful to the Commitments that She has made to me and my family.

I have stopped asking God to give me, give me, now I say, Make me, Make me Lord, do Your work within me so that I am better.

The Courage to be faithful to the commitments that you have made to God, this is really what it is all about. Once you realize this, the struggle gets a little easier, then it is not an issue at all.

in His name~Joshua 1:9

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Girl,
This is Deb. I think it may be really nice to post on this blog some of the visual material from your lecture of women in the Bible.

wisdomteachesme said...

thank you Deb, for your suggestion. and what came to me is, i just need to post the lecture and the pics with it.

thanks, i had not thought about doing that.