When women share their husband's passion for their career and ministry great things happen. Priscilla was such a woman. She lived with her husband in Rome, but had been commanded by Claudius to leave simply for being a Christian. We find Priscilla with her husband, Aquila, in Athens in Acts 18. Here they had set up shop as tentmakers. The wording indicates both shared in this trade. While in Athens, Paul bumped into Aquila and because Paul was also a tentmaker Paul stayed with them for an extended period of time. Later in this chapter we read about another converted Jew being strongly influenced by this godly couple. Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos, a relatively new and untaught believer and "explained to him the way of God more accurately." Again, the wording seems to indicate a shared ministry experience between husband and wife.
This is exciting to me. God revealed his heart for women by including Priscilla in this narrative. God presents Priscilla as a competent woman, skillful with her hands, given to hospitality and knowledgeable in the scriptures. God gives us an example to follow! And in fact, God commands women to be "teachers of good and so train..." (Titus 2:4).
When women devote themselves to the reading and study of God's word, they become pillars in the church. The expansion of the gospel through Apollos cannot be measured as he went on to become an eloquent and gifted preacher (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:6). In the same way, when we disciple women in the word, or team with our husband to mentor a new believer or couple, we are strengthening the church. When we invest in the next generation through instruction to children, we have no way of knowing what fruit will be born for the gospel.
When I think of my dear sister in the Lord, now advanced in years, who sits in the front row with me raising her hands in worship and clapping to the beat of the drums, I thank God for women like her who invested in my children. Her knowledge of the word, the Sovereignty of God, and the Gospel were passed on to my children (and others) when they were still preschoolers. Now these adults are sharing in ministry to others. Her "watering" with the truth certainly was used by God to strengthen TFC. The rippling effect of the truth she gave will be discovered in eternity. But my guess is, the ripples have been felt around the globe. Isn't that amazing?
So ladies, whether you are a CM worker, or a mentor to women, or team teach with your husband in your living room, be encouraged to know that you are a pillar in the church. And may I encourage you to continue to go deep in the things of God. Stay in God's word so that you may be able to accurately teach the things that are good. And if you are married, think how you, like Priscilla, can maximize your pleasure in marriage by partnering with your husband for the Gospel and the strengthening of the church. It sure beats endless rounds of golf, or "picking up seashells at the seashore" (John Piper).
2 comments:
Wonderful exhortation Gayline. I too have been encouraged by that same dear sister in front of me week after week. When I have come on a Sunday morning with a heavy heart, it has been her example that has lifted me up to set my heart towards God and not on myself. How precious are such women in our lives. And they really aren't aware of how they are being used.
Pat
We are a blessed church are we not? There are many such women that are an inspiration to me. May we grow up to be like them some day.
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