Today’s Passage: “All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.” Acts 9:39
Have you ever stopped to think how important women have been in the service of the Lord? When our Lord came to this earth to dwell among us, He was born of a woman, Mary. What a wonderful woman she must have been to have been chosen as the mother who would guide little Jesus and provide the nurturing He needed.
Elisha, the prophet, was indebted to a woman’s service in Shunem. Not only did she cook meals for him, she also arranged for Elisha to have his own room in her home so that he could stay with her and her husband whenever he came through the town. (II Kings 4:8-10)
Jesus and His disciples were also supported by women as they journeyed to various places, teaching the people about the kingdom of God. Luke 8:1-3: “…The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Beause of their support, Jesus and the twelve apostles were able to focus on saving souls instead of fishing in order to purchase food and clothing. Paul in like manner was supported by various congregations of the church so that he could travel on missionary journeys, spreading the gospel far and wide. Offering financial support to missionaries and providing meals or a place to stay are wonderful ways in which we can serve as Christian women.
Additionally, God can make great use of us in his kingdom by our willingness to help those who are less fortunate. In Acts 9: 36-40, Dorcas (aka Tabitha) was a great blessing to others through her skill at making clothing. One of the greatest things that could ever be said of us was written of Dorcas. She “was always doing good and helping the poor”. At her death, the widows cried in mourning for their beloved friend.
As women, we have great opportunity to spread the good news of Christ and His love for us by reaching out to our neighbors and friends, rejoicing when they rejoicing and mourning when they mourn. I have heard on several occasions that the kindness of a Christian during someone’s time of grief or hardship led to their salvation. The ability to reach others through our compassion is a great blessing from God.
Besides hospitality, we are also given examples of Christian women who served the Lord through ministry. Just because we do not stand up before the congregation to preach does not mean that the Lord has not given us the gift of ministry. We can teach others of the gospel as Priscilla did with her husband in Acts 18:26 and work diligently in the church, taking care of various needs. Paul was grateful for the women who helped him during his ministry, including those in Romans 16:12 and Philippians 4:3.
One of my favorite passages regarding women who have served to further God’s kingdom is Lydia. In Acts 16:9, Paul received a vision from the Lord of a man from Macedonia pleading, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Realizing that God wanted the people of Macedonia to hear the gospel, Paul began a journey to the region. He traveled to Philippi and stayed there several days. On the Sabbath day, Paul and his companions went to the river because they expected to find people praying there. As they sat down and began speaking to a group of women gathered there, they met Lydia, a woman from the city of Thyatira. Lydia believed in God but Paul taught her the truth of the gospel and she was baptized. Not only so, her entire household believed and was baptized.
If you have not considered the power of the message spoken in Acts 16, please read the chapter in its entirety. God sent Paul to Macedonia to preach to the Gentiles and when he arrived, a woman and her household were baptized. The significance that this woman had on the spreading of the gospel is undeniable. God led Paul to her because she would be of service to the kingdom. Though the vision had been a man of Macedonia, Paul recorded that Lydia and her household were saved, indicating that God’s intention had been to lead Paul to her so that the church might be established there.
Dear sisters, we should never allow ourselves to become discouraged in our role as Christian women or feel that we are insignificant. The Bible is filled with stories of women who stood up against evil and served as role models. God blessed Ruth and Rahab, both foreign women who were raised in idolatry, to leave their countries and take their places in the ancestry of Jesus. Rahab was also included in Hebrews 11, the great “hall of faith” chapter, as it is commonly called.
Let us rejoice in our differences and thank God for our unique talents and service. No one else has the same opportunities, talents and blessings as each of us. Each and every Christian woman was given the qualities that God wants us to have. Let’s consider daily how we can use these talents to make a difference where we are and spread the gospel throughout the world. May we always strive to remember that we are special to the Lord and that He has a special place of service designed just for us.
